Funding and Projects
We know that many of our partners are facing increasing challenges as a result of COVID-19 and we want to support those we fund as far as is possible at this difficult time.
At the moment our priority is to keep money flowing to support people, nature and organisations. Find out more on how we can achieve this at this time on our Covid-19 hub.
Also available is the COVID-19 emergency funding for grant recipients
Funding
Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF)
A new fund is being developed to support marine environmental enhancement in Scotland. Voluntary donations from marine users and individuals will provide grants to enhance the natural capital of our seas and coasts. Launch of the fund is anticipated for late summer 2021.
Future Routes Fund
The Future Routes Fund is for young people, by young people.
The fund aims to help young people to improve their local environment, increase their knowledge and understanding of Scottish biodiversity, and to provide more opportunities for them to connect with nature.
Monitoring Equipment Fund
The Community Marine Monitoring Equipment Fund is a dedicated fund aimed specifically at supporting community and local groups with the purchase of marine survey equipment to participate in community-led marine biodiversity surveys and monitoring.
Peatland ACTION Fund
Peatland ACTION is the project helping to restore damaged peatlands in support of Scotland’s Climate Change Plan outcomes with funding provided by the Scottish Government.
Funding has been expanded to include peatland restoration projects over multiple years.
Rural Funding and Support
Management Agreements (MA)
A management agreement (MA) involves NatureScot making payments to a land manager in return for an agreed programme of work. We typically offer MAs for Natura sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
SRDP is the main source of funding for rural Scotland. We encourage land managers to seek SRDP support if we believe management is needed to improve the special features of a designated site (Natura sites and SSSI).
If SRDP can’t provide such support, and we see management as a priority, we may offer support through an MA.
Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
Within SRDP, the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) promotes land management that protects and enhances Scotland's natural heritage, improves water quality, manages flood risk, and helps mitigate and adapt to climate change; public access projects have also been funded. SRDP also includes the Forestry Grant Scheme.
Projects
Community-led Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Project
Scotland’s coastlines and waters are a special place for marine habitats and wildlife. The Community-led Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Project encourages everyone to get involved in the survey and monitoring of marine life in their local waters.
Species on the Edge (SotE)
Species on the Edge is a partnership of NatureScot and seven nature conservation charities, all dedicated to improving the fortunes of 40 priority species found along Scotland's coast and islands.
We work with communities, local initiatives and land managers to tackle species recovery work.
