‘Making Space for Nature’ demonstrates the impact of large-scale strategic funding (in this case from the EU), which has enabled Solihull to carry out a programme of interlinked projects to preserve and protect the natural environment. It is a key mechanism of the Borough Council’s Green Space Strategy which encompasses a diverse set of interventions such as habitat restoration, green infrastructure improvement, and the provision of accessible opportunities for residents to engage through education and volunteer opportunities.

Our judges noted that projects at this scale demonstrate the need to “see the big picture” and that this was a good example of the “long term approach that nature needs”. The judges were particularly keen to say that “it will be important to highlight structural approaches and strategies like this, now that the UK making its own laws after Brexit”.