Deadline: 20-Jul-2026
The Darwin Initiative Main Round 32 is a UK Government funding programme supporting large-scale biodiversity conservation projects that also reduce poverty in eligible biodiversity-rich countries. The programme funds evidence-based, scalable, and sustainable interventions that address major drivers of biodiversity loss while improving livelihoods and strengthening local capacity.
Eligible organizations can apply for grants ranging from £200,000 to £1,000,000 for projects lasting between 2 and 5 years. Successful projects are expected to begin from 1 April 2027.
Overview of the Programme
The Darwin Initiative Main supports projects that combine:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Poverty reduction
- Sustainable development
- Community-based approaches
- Long-term environmental impact
The programme prioritises projects that protect biodiversity while delivering measurable social and economic benefits for local communities.
Projects must demonstrate strong evidence, scalability potential, and long-term sustainability.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Address major drivers of biodiversity loss
- Support sustainable and inclusive development
- Improve livelihoods in biodiversity-rich regions
- Strengthen local conservation capacity
- Deliver scalable conservation solutions
- Promote long-term ecosystem resilience
- Generate measurable biodiversity outcomes
The initiative also emphasizes institutional strengthening and local ownership.
Key Focus Areas
Supported projects may focus on:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Ecosystem restoration
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Community-led conservation
- Climate resilience
- Protected area management
- Species conservation
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Capacity and capability building
- Conservation governance and coordination
Projects should clearly connect biodiversity outcomes with poverty reduction benefits.
Funding Details
Grant Size
Projects can receive:
- £200,000 to £1,000,000
Project Duration
Projects may run for:
- 2 to 5 years
Funding supports project delivery and implementation costs in line with programme financial guidance.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible projects must:
- Be implemented in eligible biodiversity-rich countries
- Address biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction together
- Demonstrate evidence-based project design
- Show scalability and sustainability potential
- Include strong monitoring and evaluation systems
- Demonstrate stakeholder and partnership engagement
Projects are expected to address significant biodiversity threats while creating lasting community benefits.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to organizations capable of managing complex international conservation projects.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Conservation organizations
- International development organizations
- Civil society organizations
- Multi-stakeholder partnerships
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Technical expertise
- Financial management capacity
- Experience in biodiversity conservation
- Partnership and project delivery capability
Capability and Capacity Building
Capability and capacity strengthening must be integrated into project design.
Projects are expected to support:
- Local institutions
- Community organizations
- Conservation practitioners
- Government partners
- Technical and operational skills development
The goal is to create sustainable long-term impact beyond the funding period.
Evidence and Scalability Requirements
The programme strongly prioritises projects that:
- Use evidence-based approaches
- Build on previous experience or research
- Demonstrate realistic scaling potential
- Show pathways for wider impact
- Generate lessons for replication
Applicants should clearly explain how their approach can continue or expand after project completion.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through:
- The Flexi-Grant application portal
Applicants must comply with all programme requirements related to:
- Geographic eligibility
- Financial compliance
- Risk management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Partnership obligations
Selection Process
The programme uses a two-stage competitive process.
Stage 1
- Initial proposal submission
- Technical and eligibility assessment
Stage 2
- Shortlisted applicants invited to submit detailed proposals
Projects are assessed based on:
- Project quality
- Biodiversity impact
- Poverty reduction outcomes
- Evidence strength
- Scalability potential
- Sustainability and legacy
The programme is highly competitive.
Programme Competition Level
Recent rounds received:
- Over 400 applications
Approximately:
- Up to 20 projects are expected to receive funding in this round
Important Dates
Expected Results
- End of February 2027
Project Start Date
- From 1 April 2027
Why the Programme Matters
Biodiversity loss continues to threaten ecosystems, livelihoods, and climate resilience across many regions.
The Darwin Initiative supports projects that:
- Protect biodiversity hotspots
- Improve community livelihoods
- Strengthen conservation systems
- Build local expertise
- Support sustainable development goals
- Promote long-term environmental resilience
The programme helps bridge conservation and development priorities through practical, scalable action.
How the Programme Works
The programme funds multi-year conservation initiatives with strong local partnerships and measurable impact.
Project Process
- Identify biodiversity and poverty-related challenges
- Develop evidence-based intervention strategies
- Build local and international partnerships
- Submit Stage 1 application
- Prepare Stage 2 proposal if shortlisted
- Implement approved conservation activities
Projects must include strong monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability plans.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly define biodiversity threats
- Demonstrate measurable poverty reduction benefits
- Use evidence-based methodologies
- Show realistic scaling potential
- Include strong local partnerships
- Present clear sustainability strategies
- Integrate capacity-building activities
Strong applications usually include:
- Clear theory of change
- Long-term impact pathways
- Community participation strategies
- Technical conservation expertise
- Robust monitoring frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Darwin Initiative Main Round 32?
It is a UK Government funding programme supporting biodiversity conservation projects linked to poverty reduction.
How much funding is available?
Projects can receive between £200,000 and £1,000,000.
How long can projects run?
Projects may last between 2 and 5 years.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, ecosystem management, and community-based conservation are supported.
Who can apply?
NGOs, research institutions, universities, and conservation organizations with relevant expertise may apply.
How are applications selected?
Applications are reviewed through a two-stage competitive assessment process based on quality, evidence, scalability, and impact.
When will successful projects begin?
Approved projects are expected to start from 1 April 2027.
Conclusion
The Darwin Initiative Main Round 32 provides major funding support for organizations delivering scalable biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction projects in eligible countries. By supporting evidence-based interventions, institutional strengthening, and sustainable community development, the programme aims to generate long-term environmental and social impact in biodiversity-rich regions.
The initiative also promotes strong partnerships, local capacity development, and conservation approaches capable of creating lasting change beyond the funding period.
For more information, visit Darwin Initiative.