Biodiversity Challenge Fund (BCF) - Media release template
You can use the media release template below for publicising your BCF3 project and sharing with your local media. You can add in details such as your project's funding value, its aims and location and a quote from your project's spokesperson.
Insert date here
Headline Nature fund's £INSERT VALUE HERE award to (INSERT PROJECT AIM HERE, SUCH AS ‘protect threatened waders’)
Paragraph 1: A project to (ADD BRIEF DETAILS OF THE KEY AIMS OF YOUR PROJECT HERE) will be a recipient of the Scottish Government's Biodiversity Challenge Fund.
Paragraph 2: (ADD NAME OF YOUR PROJECT HERE) has been awarded (INSERT FUND VALUE HERE) to (YOU CAN DESCRIBE MAIN 2-3 PROJECT ACTIVITIES HERE) at (YOU CAN ADD THE LOCATION OF YOUR PROJECT). Investment in a ‘green recovery’ is understood to be the most cost effective way of making our communities and our nature sustainable and more resilient, while driving inclusive economic development.
Paragraph 3: (INSERT A QUOTE FROM YOUR PROJECT SPOKESPERSON HERE) They could describe why the work of your project is so important and the difference it will make to your local area, community and biodiversity.
Paragraph 4: The Biodiversity Challenge Fund specifically encourages applicants with projects creating transformational change to increase the biodiversity and environmental value of land and sea, with a focus on habitats and species, and supporting green skills, training and jobs where possible. Through this approach, successful projects from this third round of funding will contribute to the green recovery as we emerge from Covid-19 and work towards a nature rich future.
Paragraph 5: (NAME YOUR PROJECT HERE) is one of 12 successful projects across Scotland to share the additional £2million committed in this round of the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, taking the overall Fund investment to £6.4 million. The projects will take practical steps to improve natural habitats, safeguard plant and animal species and improve biodiversity.
Paragraph 6: The Biodiversity Challenge Fund adds to the many millions of pounds of Scottish Government funding delivered through the Scottish Rural Development Programme and other sources to support biodiversity and help to deliver Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy.
Paragraph 7: NatureScot Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska, said:
“During lockdowns people around the world have valued the direct physical and wellbeing benefits of nature. More than ever before, people are starting to understand fully and support powerful arguments to put nature at the heart of our emergence from this crisis.
As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, investment in a ‘green recovery’ is understood to be the most cost effective way of making our communities and our nature sustainable and more resilient, while driving inclusive economic development.
“This year new global targets to improve nature will be agreed at a Conference of the Parties in Kunming, China (COP15). Alongside COP26 on climate change in Glasgow, Scotland has a huge opportunity to address the many challenges and pressures that nature is facing. Nature is at the heart of what we do, and we will continue to deliver the transformational change needed to bring a nature-rich, sustainable and more economically secure future for Scotland.”