The Create Your Space programme will allow groups to apply for grants to make changes to their local areas or conserve existing sites.
The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund and dormant accounts' funding from bank and building societies.
Applicants will be able to seek grants from between £500,000 and £2m for a seven-year project.
The total grants available come to £8.8m.
The council areas are Caerphilly, Conwy, Flintshire, Anglesey, Newport, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham.
Nine councils in Wales are to share nearly £9m to improve natural environments used by local communities.