EOCA Grants to Support Global Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Projects

The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is offering grants of up to €30,000 to non-profit organisations worldwide to implement grassroots conservation and ecosystem restoration projects. The program supports initiatives that protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable interactions between communities and nature, focusing on forests, wetlands, coastal areas, inland waters, and rewilding efforts. Projects must demonstrate measurable environmental impact, align with scientific best practices, and follow a rights-based approach to ecosystem conservation.

Program Overview

EOCA provides funding to grassroots organisations for projects that conserve and restore ecosystems globally, excluding the United States and Canada. The initiative prioritises scientifically informed, locally driven, and impactful conservation work to safeguard wildlife, natural habitats, and biodiversity for future generations.

Focus Areas

EOCA’s funding is structured around two main action categories:

1. Conserve Ecosystems

• Area-Based Conservation initiatives

• Preventing conversion of intact ecosystems

• Forest conservation and protection

2. Restore Ecosystems

• Forest landscape restoration

• Coastal and marine ecosystem restoration

• Inland water system restoration

• Rewilding and species habitat restoration

• Soil health improvement

• Mangrove and wetland conservation and restoration

• Restoration of blue carbon ecosystems

Examples of Funded Projects

• Plastic pollution removal using outdoor community activities (hiking, surfing, skiing)

• Forest restoration in Scotland, Sweden, and Indonesia

• Species protection: bears in Italy and Spain, red squirrels in the UK, orangutans in Borneo, elephants in Thailand

• Ecotourism initiatives linking biking routes to landscape protection in Romania and South Africa

Eligibility Criteria

• Organisation Type: Non-profit organisations only

• Project Duration: Up to 2 years

• Geographical Scope: Any country worldwide except the United States and Canada

• Funding Limit: Maximum €30,000 per project (overall project budget can exceed this with co-funding)

• Application Language: English

Applicants must ensure their projects:

• Align with EOCA’s conservation and restoration priorities

• Demonstrate measurable ecological outcomes

• Follow a rights-based approach, respecting local communities and ecosystems

• Are informed by scientific best practices and global biodiversity frameworks

How to Apply

1. Develop Project Proposal: Include objectives, target ecosystems, methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline.

2. Budget Planning: Request funding up to €30,000 and indicate any additional funding sources.

3. Prepare Supporting Documentation: Ensure alignment with EOCA’s scientific and rights-based criteria.

4. Submission: Applications must be submitted in English via EOCA’s online portal.

5. Evaluation: EOCA’s General Managers, Scientific Advisers, and Board of Directors, along with external experts if needed, will shortlist applications.

Tips for Successful Applications

• Clearly define the environmental impact and restoration outcomes

• Highlight community engagement and local partnerships

• Provide evidence of scientific or technical expertise supporting the methodology

• Ensure budgets are realistic, aligned with project goals, and do not exceed the €30,000 cap

• Demonstrate long-term sustainability and replicability of conservation efforts

Expected Results

• Strengthened biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration

• Improved habitat protection for endangered species

• Enhanced community engagement in conservation initiatives

• Contribution to global environmental sustainability goals, including water, climate, and food security interlinkages

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to apply?
Non-profit organisations globally, except those based in the US or Canada.

2. What is the maximum funding amount?
€30,000 per project. Projects may have higher total budgets if additional funding is secured.

3. What types of projects are funded?
Conservation, restoration, rewilding, ecosystem management, forest, wetland, coastal, inland water restoration, and blue carbon projects.

4. How long can projects last?
Up to 2 years.

5. In which language must applications be submitted?
All applications must be submitted in English.

6. How are applications evaluated?
Shortlisting is conducted by EOCA’s General Managers, Scientific Advisers, and Board of Directors, with expert advice as needed, based on ecological impact, scientific basis, and community engagement.

7. Can projects receive additional funding from other sources?
Yes, but EOCA will only fund up to €30,000 per project.

Conclusion

EOCA’s grant program empowers grassroots organisations to implement tangible conservation and restoration projects that protect ecosystems, restore biodiversity, and engage local communities. By supporting scientifically informed, rights-based initiatives, EOCA contributes to sustainable environmental stewardship and long-term preservation of wild places worldwide.