Local Places for Nature Evaluation: 2020 to 2025 (final report): summary

The Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature (LPfN) programme seeks to support communities in creating ‘nature on their doorsteps’ and is delivered at different levels, from local authority area down to individual communities. The programme was developed initially to target areas with limited access to nature, including areas of deprivation. This remit has widened over time to include improving and creating green spaces, where accessible, in other areas of Wales.

This report builds on previous evaluations which have primarily focused on programme management and delivery. In contrast, this evaluation has focused on providing a deeper understanding of the programme’s contribution to social outcomes, complementing earlier work and offering insights to inform future policy and delivery.

This is the final report for the evaluation. It follows an interim evaluation report published in June 2025 (Griffiths and Cunnington-Wynn, 2025) and the two previous evaluations of the programme, published in 2021 and in 2023 (Powel, Burgess and Parkinson, 2021; Johnson and Vousden, 2023).

It should be noted that this evaluation has not considered the impact of the programme on biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services which are the subject of a separate study to be commissioned by the Welsh Government.

Programme structure and delivery

LPfN is a broad programme delivered through five main schemes: Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs), the Community Packages Scheme, the Coastal Capacity Building Scheme, the Capital Grants Fund, and the Breaking Barriers Scheme. Each scheme has a distinct focus, ranging from supporting local partnerships and providing practical resources to community groups, to building capacity in coastal areas and funding projects in communities of interest with limited access to nature. The programme has invested millions of pounds and supported thousands of projects across Wales, with a particular emphasis on urban and peri-urban areas.

Evaluation approach

This evaluation considered the LPfN programme through the lens of a ‘realist approach’ which is a way of understanding what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and why. It is especially useful for complex social programmes such as LPfN because it recognises that people and places are different, and that change happens in different ways.

Evaluation fieldwork described in this final report employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys of project participants, site visits and interviews, and a literature review. The survey (a total of 178 responses, including partial responses) captured insights from staff, volunteers, and participants, while 16 site visits provided in-depth understanding of project activities and outcomes. A literature review further identified key research to support or challenge the primary fieldwork findings to support confidence in the overall conclusions being made.

Overall, the evaluation concluded that the LPfN programme has demonstrated the value and potential of community and nature-based interventions to deliver personal and social benefits. These findings are consistent with a wider evidence base showing that access to green space can improve health, strengthen social cohesion, and foster pro-environmental views and behaviours. Wider literature supports the potential for projects and activities to generate substantial impacts for communities with limited access to nature and green spaces. Primary fieldwork for this evaluation was unable to clearly explore this in detail for LPfN specifically but the fieldwork that was undertaken highlighted some positive experiences.

The evidence available does not allow for definitive conclusions about the scale or durability of the outcomes identified. It does however provide a strong indication that, under the right conditions, community-based LPfN-funded projects can create valued local spaces, strengthen community connections, and support positive engagement with nature.

Outcomes generated by LPfN projects

The evidence gathered suggested that LPfN projects contributed to a range of outcomes for individuals and communities. Those outcomes are also generated by a very broad range of projects and activities. Analysis of survey responses, site visits, and interviews indicated that increased engagement with local green and natural spaces was a consistent feature across the programme. Participants reported involvement in the creation, enhancement, and use of these spaces, which appeared to have generated a range of positive outcomes, both nature-related and for personal wellbeing.

Improvements in wellbeing were evident, with respondents frequently identifying nature spaces as beneficial for relaxation and mental health. Physical health benefits, such as increased time spent outdoors and opportunities for exercise, were noted, though these outcomes were generally found to be incremental rather than transformative. Projects also facilitated social connections, with participants describing opportunities to meet others and participate in community activities. For some participants, these opportunities helped to reduce their own isolation.

In terms of personal development, participants reported acquiring new skills and knowledge, particularly in gardening, habitat management, and environmental stewardship. While many respondents were already regular users of green spaces prior to their involvement, participation in LPfN projects led to the adoption of more environmentally conscious habits, including changes in gardening practices and increased attention to biodiversity. This demonstrated the potential for those who already held positive views on nature and the environment to make small behavioural changes as a result of their involvement in a LPfN project.

Mechanisms and context for achieving the outcomes

A key concept in the realist evaluation approach, which underpinned the analysis undertaken for this evaluation, is that outcomes arise from how individuals respond to the resources and opportunities provided by an intervention—in this case, LPfN projects. This interaction between programme resources and individual reasoning is termed the ‘mechanism’. It is the mechanism, together with the context in which activity occurs, that ultimately determines the outcome. Evaluation findings were used to identify the key mechanisms which appear to lead to LPfN programme outcomes.

Understanding the motivations of participants and providing meaningful opportunities

Evidence from the evaluation survey and site visits shows that participants are most engaged when projects offer opportunities perceived as meaningful and aligned with their motivations. The evaluation identified the most common motivations as improving the local area, spending time outdoors, and giving back to the community. These motivations underpin many of the positive outcomes observed and are broader than the programme’s principal objective of creating and improving access to green and nature spaces.

Engaging the right participants and allowing projects to evolve

The definition of ‘the right’ participant—or community—depends on the specific objectives of each project or scheme. For example, Breaking Barriers projects aimed to engage communities underserved in terms of access to nature, requiring targeted outreach and activities designed for that profile. In contrast, projects focused on improving or creating a specific site may initially need to attract participants with the skills and availability to complete practical work. As a result, the profile of participants varies across LPfN projects, reflecting different priorities and needs.

Evaluation findings also highlight the importance of allowing LPfN projects to evolve over time. The programme provides flexibility through different packages within schemes and across schemes, enabling projects to progress toward broader organisational objectives. For instance, an initial focus on physical improvements to a site may later shift to attracting users—particularly individuals and groups with previously limited opportunities to engage with green or nature spaces.

A flexible, tailored approach

LPfN has supported a wide range of activities across diverse settings, including community gardens, urban green spaces, woodlands, hospital gardens, and wetland restoration projects. Evidence indicates that positive outcomes have been generated across these varied contexts. Although no detailed comparison of approaches was undertaken, the findings suggest there is no single route to achieving LPfN’s intended outcomes. Instead, flexibility for communities to meet programme objectives in ways that reflect local needs and opportunities appears to be an important mechanism for success.

A mix of activities and enabling participants to progress

The evaluation identified a range of personal benefits for participants, including developing social connections, learning new skills, and improving mental wellbeing. Evidence suggests that a key mechanism behind these outcomes is the creation of opportunities for social interaction—through group activities, volunteering, and community events—which fosters wellbeing, retention, and a sense of belonging. Findings from primary fieldwork also found that when practical tasks were paired with learning opportunities, participants were more likely to progress from initial involvement to advanced activities such as conservation training. This combination of hands-on work and skill development appears to trigger a shift from general interest to a stronger sense of responsibility for the local environment.

Local context and capacity

LPfN is generally a demand-led programme, meaning activity depends on the capacity of local organisations to engage and submit applications for support. Where groups do not apply, projects do not happen. This makes organisational capacity—both to apply for funding and to deliver projects effectively—a critical mechanism and contextual factor within the programme. The interim report also highlighted the importance of scheme staff, particularly their knowledge, experience, and ability to engage with local organisations and communities.

Capacity-building support is a feature of several LPfN schemes. Fieldwork for this evaluation found that such support provided resources and tools that would not otherwise have been available and helped organisations build stronger partnerships and improve collaboration.

Timescales and sustaining sites, activities and outcomes

Sustaining outcomes beyond the lifetime of LPfN support is a critical consideration. Sites created or improved need ongoing maintenance and continued activity; otherwise, there is a risk that achieved outcomes will not endure. Time emerged as a key issue in this evaluation—both the constraints of short delivery windows and the need for longer periods for some outcomes, such as behaviour change and community cohesion, to develop. Many sites engaged during fieldwork reported continuing their projects, although this may reflect a sample bias toward active projects. Where activity was sustained, it was most often achieved through securing additional funding and relying on community engagement and volunteer support.

The report concludes with a set of recommendations designed to inform future policy and programme management. These include targeting areas with low historical engagement to address geographic and social inequalities in access to nature; making the engagement of new participants an explicit programme objective to broaden the reach and impact of LPfN; strengthening local delivery through experienced community organisations to ensure projects are rooted in local knowledge and capacity; reinforcing behaviour change through continued engagement and visible impact to sustain pro-environmental habits; and strengthening monitoring and evaluation across the programme to provide robust, independent evidence of outcomes and support ongoing learning.

The recommendations emphasise the need for targeted outreach, sustained support for community actors, and ongoing investment in robust, independent monitoring and evaluation. Taken together, they provide a roadmap for maximising the long-term benefits, equity, and sustainability of the LPfN programme.

In summary, the LPfN programme has been found to have delivered meaningful benefits for people and communities by creating opportunities for engagement with nature, fostering social connection, and supporting wellbeing. The evidence gathered through this evaluation points to specific mechanisms that contributed to the observed outcomes - motivation alignment, flexibility, social connection, and progression. These mechanisms should be placed at the heart of future policy design and programme management to enhance effectiveness and impact. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will be important to enhance the evidence that is currently available and inform future delivery.

Report authors: Endaf Griffiths, Dr. Lowri Cunnington-Wynn, Anna Burges, Emily Hacker and Tomasz Jablonski.

With acknowledgement of the support and guidance on the realist evaluation approach provided to the research team by Dr Kev Harris.

Views expressed in this report are those of the researchers and not necessarily those of the Welsh Government.

For further information please contact:

Climate and Environment Research Team
Social Research and Information Division
Knowledge and Analytical Services
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Email: ClimateAndEnvironmentResearch@gov.wales

Social research number: 121/2025
Digital ISBN: 978-1-80633-741-5