AN Amman Valley-based project that helps the planet has the chance to gain vital funding.

The WWF and RSPB have teamed up with Aviva to launch a £1million community fund for projects that are taking action to help nature.

The fund, called the Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund, was launched for projects to help them with the funding needed to continue their work in protecting and restoring the planet.

One group that is involved is Hwb y Gors: Net Zero Community Hub, which is run by Awel Aman Tawe, to turn the former Cwmgors Primary School into a net-zero hub for the community.

The fund will give £2 to the community groups involved for every £1 they raise to allow them to reach their fundraising target quicker.

Rhian Brewster, WWF Cymru’s head of communications, said: “We know that the devastating nature loss witnessed across the UK is something the public is worried about, but we also know what needs to be done to turn things around.

“Communities, by harnessing the power of working together, are playing an important role in protecting and restoring nature. We’re excited to be working with the RSPB and Aviva to further help local groups to take action, and we can’t wait to see the results.”

Alun Pritchard, director of RSPB Cymru, said: “Community groups and volunteers are already doing incredible work across the UK to protect and restore our wildlife, and we’re constantly amazed and inspired by the stories of how people are making a difference – whether it’s engaging with children to make schools wildlife-friendly, taking part in citizen science projects, carrying migrating toads across busy roads, or planting whole orchards.

"Every effort counts. We can’t wait to see how this fund helps create ripples of action throughout the UK. For although nature is in crisis, together we can save it.”

It is launched as a recent YouGov poll showed that almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of people in Wales who took part were worried about the state of nature.

Some 67 per cent said they were worried about the impact nature loss would have on their life, with 61 per cent believing it would negatively affect both their and their family’s health.

One in six species are at risk of extinction in Wales according to the Save Our Wild Isles campaign, with 73 of the 3,902 species assessed in Wales since scientific monitoring began in the 1970s have already gone extinct.

The UK is one of the most depleted nations in the world in terms of nature, with 38 million birds disappearing from the UK’s skies in the last 50 years and 97 per cent of wildflower meadows being lost since the 1930s.

The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund will give £2 for every £1 raised for each project.

The matching applies to each individual donation up to £250 and with a total match available of £5,000 per community project. Any community groups that want to apply can do so at https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/save-our-wild-isles