Applications open for Darwin Plus Local Funds

Deadline: 25-Nov-2024

Applications are now open for the Darwin Plus Local Funds projects that protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs).

Darwin Plus Local supports small scale environmental projects exclusively in the UKOTs, with the aim of improving outcomes for biodiversity, building capacity in-territory and contributing to local economies.

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.

Funding Information

• This round of Darwin Plus Local provides grants of up to £50,000 for organisations, and £20,000 for individuals.

Duration

• Projects in this Round (Round 5) can last for a maximum of twelve months and should plan to begin activities from April 2025, and all projects must be completed by 31 March 2026

Geographic Focus

• 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)

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:
  • 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. This could include peer to peer learning and sharing best practice among OTs and their partners.
  • Policy work, which might include legal gap analysis or drafting and implementation of new legislation.

For more information, visit Darwin Plus.