Call for Applications: Nature Networks Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 05-Aug-2026

The Nature Networks Fund (Round Six) provides grants ranging from £250,000 to £1 million to support projects that strengthen Wales’ protected site network, restore biodiversity, and improve ecosystem resilience. Delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, the programme supports both planning and delivery of high-impact conservation projects.

The fund prioritises habitat restoration, ecological connectivity, community participation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity recovery. Projects must demonstrate measurable ecological benefits for protected sites and the wider ecological networks that support them.

About the Nature Networks Fund (Round Six)

The Nature Networks Fund (Round Six) is designed to accelerate nature recovery across Wales by investing in projects that improve the condition, resilience, and connectivity of protected habitats and species.

The programme supports organisations working in natural heritage conservation to restore ecosystems, strengthen ecological networks, reduce pressures on protected sites, and engage local communities in long-term environmental stewardship. Both protected sites and surrounding landscapes are eligible where activities provide clear ecological benefits.

Funding Information

The programme provides grants ranging from £250,000 to £1 million for eligible projects.

Key funding information includes:

• Grant size between £250,000 and £1,000,000
• Supports predominantly capital projects
• Eligible revenue costs directly related to project delivery are also funded
• Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) before being invited to submit a full application
• Projects must not begin before funding approval
• Only one lead application is permitted per organisation, although organisations may participate as project partners in additional applications

Programme Objectives

The Nature Networks Fund aims to:

• Strengthen Wales’ protected site network
• Improve biodiversity conservation
• Restore degraded habitats
• Enhance ecological connectivity
• Improve ecosystem resilience
• Support sustainable management of natural resources
• Reduce external pressures affecting protected sites
• Increase public participation in nature recovery
• Build organisational capacity within the conservation sector
• Promote long-term environmental sustainability

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priorities:

• Protected site restoration
• Biodiversity enhancement
• Wildlife conservation
• Habitat connectivity
• Freshwater ecosystem restoration
• Marine habitat conservation
• Ecosystem resilience
• Ecological network development
• Sustainable land management
• Sustainable natural resource management
• Community participation in conservation
• Inclusion of under-served communities
• Accessibility improvements for protected sites
• Capacity building
• Staff development
• Training programmes
• Apprenticeships
• Ecological monitoring
• Nature recovery planning
• Welsh language promotion

Eligible Project Activities

Funding may support a wide range of conservation activities, including:

• Habitat restoration
• Land management works
• Ecological restoration
• Species conservation
• Habitat connectivity projects
• Ecological surveys
• Biodiversity assessments
• Environmental monitoring
• Nature-based infrastructure
• Visitor interpretation facilities
• Software development
• Mapping and data management
• Professional consultancy services
• Project planning
• Community engagement
• Volunteer programmes
• Training activities
• Staff costs directly supporting project delivery
• Translation services
• Project evaluation
• Environmental reporting
• Data sharing activities

Eligible Costs

Funding may cover:

• Capital works
• Habitat restoration materials
• Land management activities
• Ecological infrastructure
• Survey equipment
• Professional services
• Software development
• Project planning costs
• Staffing costs
• Community engagement
• Volunteer coordination
• Training programmes
• Apprenticeships
• Translation and bilingual delivery
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Organisational overheads for eligible voluntary organisations where directly linked to project delivery

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include organisations working with natural heritage in Wales that require funding to plan or deliver projects benefiting protected sites or ecological networks.

Partnership applications are encouraged to strengthen project delivery and maximise conservation outcomes.

Applicants should:

• Be eligible organisations working in Wales
• Submit only one application as the lead applicant
• Participate in additional projects as partners if desired
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver conservation outcomes
• Complete the required Expression of Interest process before submitting a full application

Eligibility Requirements

Projects must:

• Deliver clear ecological benefits
• Support protected habitats or species
• Improve biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
• Strengthen ecological connectivity
• Contribute to long-term nature recovery
• Not begin before funding approval
• Include monitoring and evaluation activities
• Share environmental data and project outcomes
• Engage local communities where appropriate
• Promote the Welsh language throughout project delivery
• Acknowledge support from the Welsh Government

Projects may be located both inside and outside designated protected sites if they clearly benefit protected habitats or ecological networks.

Why This Fund Matters

The Nature Networks Fund plays an important role in helping Wales achieve its biodiversity and climate resilience goals.

The programme supports:

• Restoration of threatened ecosystems
• Recovery of wildlife populations
• Protection of important habitats
• Improved landscape connectivity
• Stronger environmental partnerships
• Increased public participation in conservation
• Better access to nature
• Long-term ecosystem resilience
• Sustainable management of natural resources
• Capacity building within conservation organisations

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Develop a project that supports biodiversity recovery and protected site conservation.
2. Confirm organisational eligibility and project alignment with programme priorities.
3. Prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI).
4. Submit the EOI for initial assessment.
5. If invited, prepare and submit a full application with detailed project plans, budget, ecological outcomes, and partnership information.
6. Include monitoring, evaluation, community engagement, bilingual delivery, and data-sharing plans.
7. Wait for funding approval before starting any project activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Starting work before receiving funding approval
• Skipping the mandatory Expression of Interest stage
• Submitting more than one lead application
• Failing to demonstrate measurable ecological benefits
• Weak community engagement plans
• Omitting monitoring or evaluation activities
• Ignoring Welsh language requirements
• Providing unrealistic budgets or timelines
• Failing to explain how the project strengthens ecological networks

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Nature Networks Fund?

Organisations working with natural heritage in Wales that deliver projects benefiting protected sites or ecological networks are eligible to apply.

How much funding is available?

Grants range from £250,000 to £1 million.

Is an Expression of Interest required?

Yes. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) before they can be invited to submit a full application.

Can projects take place outside protected sites?

Yes. Projects outside protected sites are eligible if they clearly provide ecological benefits for protected habitats, species, or ecological networks.

Can staffing and training costs be funded?

Yes. Revenue costs such as staffing, planning, training, apprenticeships, community engagement, evaluation, translation, and eligible organisational overheads may be funded where they directly support project delivery.

Are partnership applications encouraged?

Yes. Partnerships are strongly encouraged to improve project delivery, strengthen expertise, and maximise conservation outcomes.

What are the key project requirements?

Projects should improve biodiversity, strengthen ecological connectivity, engage communities, include monitoring and evaluation, share environmental data, acknowledge Welsh Government support, and promote the Welsh language throughout project delivery.

Conclusion

The Nature Networks Fund (Round Six) provides significant funding opportunities for organisations committed to restoring biodiversity, strengthening protected sites, and improving ecosystem resilience across Wales. With grants ranging from £250,000 to £1 million, support for both capital and eligible revenue costs, and a strong emphasis on community participation, ecological connectivity, and bilingual delivery, the programme enables long-term conservation projects that contribute to a healthier and more resilient natural environment.

For more information, visit The National Lottery Heritage Fund.