£1.8m Fund to Boost Nature Projects in Scotland
Scotland-based environmental organisations, community groups, land owners and farmers can apply for funding to help grow their nature projects.
Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS) is a grant scheme supporting projects that can shape and grow the use of private investment and market-based mechanisms to finance the restoration of Scotland’s nature.
Grants will be offered to organisations and partnerships to help develop a viable business case and financial model, to attract investment in projects that can restore and improve the natural environment, such as, but not limited to:
- Woodland creation
- Marine enhancement
- Peatland restoration
FIRNS will help selected projects to bridge the gap between the conceptual idea and the investment ready proposition capable of attracting private capital and finance. Successful projects will also demonstrate the means to engage and share benefits with communities, contributing to a just transition.
The programme has an overall budget of £1.8 million. Grants of up to £120,000 are available through FIRNS. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for co-funding through project grants of up to £120,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thereby increasing their access to a total funding package of up to £240,000.
Applications are encouraged from environmental non-governmental organisations (eNGOs), community groups, land owners, farmers, and other private sector organisations in Scotland, individually or in consortia.
Expressions of Interest are expected to open on 28 February 2023. The application window will close by mid-June 2023.
(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)
