Evaluation of the Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) grant

• To identify what has worked well and what could be improved in the future in the administration and delivery of the grant scheme by Welsh Government, including application processes, monitoring requirements and grant management.
• To assess the direct impact of grants and whether the grants awarded achieved their original aims and objectives, including achievement of targets and outcomes set out in applications and delivery plans.
• To assess wider and unexpected benefits and achievements, including any wider multiple benefits over and above direct benefits expected.

The evaluation of the ENRaW grant used a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Several limitations and challenges impacted the validity of the findings in the ENRaW grant evaluation. Data gaps were observed, particularly due to incomplete information from project monitoring reports and end-of-project submissions. The survey response rate was below 50%. Also, the projects funded via Windows 2 and 3 are still ongoing, and as such, it is too early to gauge the impact which they will have upon their communities. This interim report therefore draws heavily upon the outcomes and impact of completed Window 1 projects.

The evaluation of the ENRaW grant demonstrated a significant contribution to environmental, social and community well-being objectives. Many projects reported a wide range of benefits, particularly in areas such as biodiversity enhancement, community engagement and health improvements through initiatives like community gardens and social prescribing programmes.

The projects under ENRaW demonstrated significant environmental benefits, such as the restoration of green spaces, tree planting and the enhancement of biodiversity. Notable outputs include the creation or restoration of 121 meadows exceeding the target of 100 and the planting of 19 175 trees. In terms of social and well-being outcomes, the projects engaged 98 323 people, three times its original target, contributing to increased environmental awareness and community involvement. In addition, ENRaW has reported that 192 people have been engaged in social prescribing activities, which far exceeds the target of 104 set out by funded projects. The scheme has achieved around half of its wellbeing targets, having reported 1 579 against a target set by projects of 3 014. As for economic benefits, while they were harder to quantify, several projects contributed by employing local contractors and offering accredited training that could help participants secure employment in green sectors.

In terms of delivery, the evaluation pointed to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and administrative changes. The shortened delivery timelines for later funding windows, combined with administrative issues such as the requirement for prior approval of expenditures, hindered progress for many projects.

The experience of Window 1 applicants and funded projects suggests that grant application, assessment and administration arrangements have been reasonable and appropriate, and a clear strength of this funding window has been applicants’ ability to deal directly with a Welsh government officer. The feedback suggests that ENRaW Window 1 reporting and claims processes are commensurate and acceptable to funded projects. In fact, Window 1 projects reported exceeding their targets, often due to strong partnerships that enabled greater collective achievements than individual efforts could have delivered.

However, the transfer of the scheme into RDP mechanisms and the need to satisfy RDP funding requirements and processes have been hugely disruptive and detrimental to the scheme. The feedback gathered about Windows 2 and 3 grant application and administration points to a very challenging experience for this cohort. This is causing significant stress for projects funded via Windows 2 and 3 and is negatively impacting their ability to deliver successful outcomes, not least because of the loss of staff, community and partner goodwill to their projects. The significant issues associated with Windows 2 and 3 mean that funded projects are unlikely to achieve all their intended aims and objectives, mostly due to their shortened window of delivery.

The evaluation also sought to assess how the projects contributed to cross-cutting objectives, such as environmental sustainability, innovation, health and well-being, and community engagement. Many projects demonstrated innovation through new practices and partnerships, highlighting how collaborative approaches can lead to lasting changes in environmental stewardship and community involvement. The evaluation found that completed ENRaW projects have generated a wide range of community and social, health and wellbeing, and environmental benefits. To date, fewer completed projects can evidence that their project have generated positive economic outcomes. However, the evaluation emphasised that many of the longer-term impacts, particularly those related to environmental and economic sustainability, would take time to fully materialise.