About this opportunity
We are pleased to announce a new opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the EPSRC Green+ Network: the opportunity to host a one-day network sharing workshop on smarter, healthier, cleaner, safer and more inclusive green spaces.
The workshops should focus on practical examples, challenges or emerging ideas where Pervasive Technologies, Engineering, Data, Edge AI, smart infrastructure, Sensing, Physical AI, Digital Health, community engagement or nature-based approaches can support better use, management or experience of green spaces.
Workshops may be organised around a green space, project, deployment, community challenge, technical problem, design question or policy need that the host would like to share with other Green+ Network members and invited guests. The focus may be at any stage, including early concept, planning, design, deployment, evaluation, maintenance, scaling or longer-term use.
Workshops may include talks and short presentations, but should also include interactive elements such as engagement activities, discussion, site-based learning, co-design, demonstrations or facilitated networking. Where practical, applicants are encouraged to host the workshops in, or include activities in, green spaces.
Workshop objectives
The objectives of the Green+ Network sharing workshops are to provide opportunities for network members to:
- share experience from green space experts and managers, technology experts and providers, user organisations and community projects;
- benefit from the knowledge and expertise of other network members;
- discuss practical challenges, barriers and lessons learned;
- create local engagement with communities, green space managers, public bodies, industry and third-sector organisations;
- build a community of practice across academia, industry, local authorities, healthcare, green space organisations and user groups;
- form new consortia around shared challenges and opportunities;
- develop ideas for future funding applications.
- plan for further co-development acitivites
Successful organisers will be expected to share a short workshop report with the EPSRC Green+ Network, together with suitable video materials, images and other promotional content where available. Organisers are also expected to support promotion of the workshop and its outcomes on social media, including through the EPSRC Green+ Network channels.
Funding and eligible costs
We aim to fund a number of one-day Green+ Network sharing workshops through this open call. Each workshop may request up to £5,000 to cover reasonable organisational costs.
Eligible costs may include
- venue hire;
- catering;
- travel & accomondation support;
- accessibility support;
- workshop materials;
- facilitation;
- community participation costs;
- documentation;
- modest administrative support.
- activities in greenspace, e.g.boat hire, guided activities, team games
- technology demonstration
Funding cannot be used for
- general equipment purchase;
- institutional overheads;
- activities outside the approved workshop scope.
Who can apply?
The call is open to UK-based Green+ Network members and organisations working in areas relevant to the theme of the Network.
We particularly welcome proposals from:
- green space organisations
- parks, gardens, estates, forests and nature-based venues
- academic and research teams
- researchers and practitioners
- local authorities and public bodies
- healthcare and social prescribing organisations
- community and voluntary organisations
- industry and technology partners
What should proposals include?
Hosts should clearly explain the green space, challenge, technology, community need or practical example that will form the focus of the workshop. They should also explain the purpose of the workshop, who will attend, what will be shared, and what outputs or follow-on activities are expected.
Dates and details of successful workshop applications will be finalised in discussion with the EPSRC Green+ Network leadership team to avoid scheduling conflicts and support wider participation. Workshops are expected to be open to relevant Green+ Network members and other interested participants, and will be advertised through the Network.
Assessment criteria
Proposals will be assessed on:
- clarity of the workshop aims;
- relevance to the Green+ Network objectives;
- value to network members and wider stakeholders;
- quality of proposed engagement;
- feasibility of the plan and budget;
- contribution to inclusion, diversity and accessibility;
- potential for useful outputs, future collaboration or follow-on activity.
Applicants may be notified on a rolling basis up to the deadline.
Apply to host
All interested applicants should submit their proposals by 21 August using the online application form.
Application form: Apply to host
Contact the Green+ Network TeamLaunch and funding sandpit video
Watch the EPSRC Green+ Network launch and funding sandpit event video.
Closing note
We look forward to receiving your applications and to working with hosts across the UK to build a practical, inclusive and collaborative Green+ Network community.
Best wishes,
The EPSRC Green+ Network Team