Deadline: 29-Nov-23
Applications are now open for the Darwin Plus Local Funding Scheme to support small scale environmental projects exclusively in the UKOTs, with the aim of building capacity in-territory and contributing to local economies.
Darwin Plus Local is a new scheme within the existing UK government’s Darwin Plus fund, which funds projects to protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). Together with the Darwin Initiative and Illegal Wildlife Challenge Fund, the Darwin Plus programme is one of UK government’s Biodiversity Challenge Funds.
Objectives
- Applicants to Darwin Plus Local must demonstrate how their project will contribute to measurable outcomes in at least one of the following Darwin Plus themes with a clear focus on biodiversity and the natural environment:
- Biodiversity: improving and conserving biodiversity, and slowing or reversing biodiversity loss and degradation;
- Climate change: responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change and its effects on the natural environment and local communities;
- Environmental quality: improving the condition and protection of the natural environment;
- Capability and capacity building: enhancing the capacity within UKOTs, including through community engagement and awareness, to support the natural environment in the short- and long-term.
- Please note that the overall focus of the Darwin Plus Local fund is on biodiversity and the natural environment. Projects focussing primarily on other areas such asrenewable energy, waste or public health may not be eligible.
Funding Information
- Darwin Plus Local is open to applications from organisations for projects up to £50,000, and from individuals for projects up to £20,000.
- Projects in this Round (Round 3) can last for a maximum of twelve months and should plan to begin activities from April 2024, and all projects must be completed by 31 March 2025.
Eligible Activities
- A wide range of projects may be eligible for funding through Darwin Plus Local. Potential activities that may be eligible include, but are not limited to:
- Capacity building such as training courses, upskilling, peer-to-peer learning initiatives and sharing of best practice among OTs and their partners.
- Pilot projects to test a proven evidence-based or innovative new solution in a specific area or with a specific group, to measure results and learn lessons.
- Enhanced protection and restoration of priority species, habitats, and landscapes and sustainable management of natural resources and activities (such as tourism).
- Actions to combat and build capacity to tackle invasive alien species and improve biosecurity.
- Grassroots, community-based and locally led efforts to advance conservation action, build capacity and increase resilience or improve environmental quality.
- Policy work, which might include legal gap analysis or drafting and implementation of new legislation.
- Outreach and education, including to involve, build capacity and buy-in for conservation, and raise awareness among local people and diverse community groups.
- Actions to increase resilience to climate change and enhance sustainability.
- Enhanced data management and analysis with specific goals for embedding this to inform policy, management, and practice.
- Sustainable financing for conservation
- They encourage projects proposing to implement evidence-based proven solutions as well as innovative approaches. Capital costs are eligible if well justified in the application and provided the items purchased remain available for on-going work in the territory
- Preference will be given to discrete projects implementing environmental solutions, action on the ground, or discrete work that aims to deliver a tangible change. Research and scoping work in projects should be clearly justified. As much as possible, you should draw on existing work to provide evidence, where available, to support your application. It should be clear why new research or data management is needed and how it will be applied to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.
Eligible Countries
- Darwin Plus Local is open to applications for projects in all UKOTs. The fourteen UKOTs are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (BAT), British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands (FI), Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie & Oeno Islands, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI), Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (on Cyprus), Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications must be made by the Lead Partner. This can be an organisation or an individual who agrees to the Terms and Conditions including managing the grant, its finances, reporting and governance. The Lead Partner must be based in one of the UKOTs. Where a UKOT has no permanent population, the applicant must demonstrate their long-term meaningful connection to that territory.
- As an individual you can apply for Darwin Plus Local grants of up to £20,000. If the application is successful, the Fund Administrator will ask the Lead Partner for a verified proof of identity such as a passport, ID card or driving licence as well as for a proof of solvency such as a personal bank statement and a police check. The applicant must also open a separate project bank account if the application is successful in order to receive the grant.
- Applicants may benefit from partnering with other individuals or organisations to increase the skills, knowledge, experience and resources available to them. There is however no requirement for applicants to partner with others. Applications will not be assessed more favourably for having project partners.
For more information, visit Darwin Plus.
