The Trust’s objective is to help people develop within our industry, however, during these exceptional, changing and challenging times the trust has made the decision to spend some time investigating how best to do this, as a result we are not looking for new applicants for the time being.
Applications for awards through the Dick Allen Scholarship Fund are invited in January and February each year. Delegates at the GCA Annual Conference in January hear about the previous year’s recipient and the opportunity for the current year with a short presentation from the Chairman of the Trustees.
This is open to young staff within GCA garden centres but excludes family members of the garden centre company. The recipient will attend the International GCA Congress and participate within the ‘Interactive Tour’ group taking part in discussions and gaining an understanding of how the centres within the host country (and centres from other countries, including their own, through the wider conversations within the delegate group) operate.
The application must be endorsed and supported by the applicant’s employer. The GCA Trust will cover the full Congress registration fee but travel expenses will need to be met by the employer. Other than personal expenses and travel insurance there are no further costs involved.
At the recent GCA Conference, the GCA Trust was delighted to announce that after several years of sending two delegates to the annual International Garden Centre Association Congress, this year up to THREE applicants could be chosen. Here’s everything you need to know to apply:-
The Dick Allen Scholarship Fund will cover all the registration costs of each delegate, apart from travel. The employer is encouraged to fund this.
Where – Munich and Bavarian region
When – 16th – 22nd August 2026
Who – Anyone aged 18 – 40 employed by a GCA member Garden Centre. Whether employed in the plantaria, restaurant, branding, IT or any other departments the congress will be relevant to them. This cannot be a member of the owner family.
What – The Next Generation Study Tour within the congress focusses on inspiring the next generation within our industry, encouraging new networks, global connections, and, as previous attendees will attest, so much more in gaining friendships, experience and confidence. Active participation is essential! For full details of the Congress visit the IGCA2026.com website and see just how many innovative and modern retailers are on the list of visits
How – Go to the GCA Website, find GCA Trust page and then go to the on-line application form. This should be completed by both the employee and the employer. IMPORTANT – THE CLOSING DATE IS FEBRUARY 21ST. The lucky winners will be announced on 21st March 2026.
AND, the consequences will be that the delegates are asked to give a short feed-back of their experiences and the benefits to both them and their centres at the GCA conference 2027. AND that they will come back bursting with new ideas and enthusiasm for this exciting industry.
All the garden centres who have been enlightened enough to encourage their staff to go for it in the past will readily verify all that.
