Organisations and groups are able to apply now for up to £250,000 for nature projects which will transform their local environment.

The Scottish Government funded ‘Nature Restoration Fund’, managed by Nature Scot, is open for applications.

The first stage in the process is to complete an Expression of Interest (EoI) form.  This will then be assessed for eligibility, and eligible proposals will be invited to complete and submit a full application form. 

Click on this link: How to Apply

“In 2021, funding was awarded to 54 projects alongside a direct allocation of £5m directly from Scottish Government to Local Authorities. On Nature Day at COP26 the Scottish Government announced an expansion to the Nature Restoration Fund, comprising at least a further £55m over the next four years, with at least £12.5m annually. 

In July 2022 around £5m of funding was awarded to 46 projects in the £25k to £250k round of the fund.  In addition, all local authorities, plus Scotland’s two National Parks, have received a share of £6.5 million directly from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Process Fund – the second stream of the annual Nature Restoration Fund.” Nature Scot.

The Papdale Park Project received funding from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund through the allocation which was given to Orkney Islands Council. It also received money through the Scottish Government funded Biodiversity Challenge Fund (via Nature Scot); Sustrans’ Places for Everyone (via Transport Scotland); Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes (via Transport Scotland); and money from Orkney Islands Council. Phase One of the project cost £670,000.  

In 2022 projects awarded funding in Orkney included:

• RSPB: Development, trial and delivery of a mop up phase methodology required to eradicate stoats from Orkney
• RSPB: Restoration of Wader Habitat in the North Isles of Orkney

In 2021 projects awarded funding in Orkney included:

• Orkney Skate Trust: Equipment to support restoration survey work.

Chair of NatureScot, Mike Cantlay said:

“To turn the biodiversity crisis around and tackle the climate emergency, we need to act urgently and decisively to regenerate nature in Scotland.

“The Nature Restoration Fund will champion ambitious, high-value projects to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity on land and sea in the critical years ahead. We are excited to see the initiative and ideas applicants bring forward. We need to take action to help nature in Scotland, not only to help us reach net zero by 2045 but also to create a healthier, more resilient country for us all.”

The Scottish Government is to invest £65 million through the Nature Restoration Fund, with at least £13.5 million available in 2022-23 ..

£3.5 million was allocated to support 46 smaller-scale projects during this year to help support biodiversity in rural areas across the country.

A further £6.5 million has been allocated to councils and Scotland’s National Parks for local nature restoration projects.

Biodiversity Minister in the Scottish Government, Lorna Slater said:

“The Nature Restoration Fund is Scotland’s largest ever fund for nature and a vital opportunity to take positive action now and halt nature loss. It supports projects across Scotland – large and small – on land and at sea – that address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

“This summer we are also consulting on an ambitious new Biodiversity Strategy for Scotland. This sets out what our natural environment needs to look like by 2045 in order to reverse biodiversity decline and protect our environment for the future. I would encourage everyone to share their views and help us shape this crucial roadmap toward a better and more sustainable future for Scotland.”

Click on this link for the: Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2022. The consultation closes on 12th September 2022.