Funding

Person repairing a path

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund 

The Nature Restoration Fund is a competitive fund which supports projects that restore wildlife and habitats on land and sea and address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Diver entering the water from NatureScot RIB Aphrodite,

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.

2 people on the river bed discussing a paper

Working with Rivers Training Placement Scheme

Working with Rivers will provide funding for 20 paid training placements of 12 weeks in duration. This will allow individuals to access training and high quality, on-the-job experience in working with rivers. 

View over bog pools at Sandy Loch, Shetland

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.

Art installation of 2 figures standing in a river

Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF)

This fund will 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. 

Group of young people in front of a sign for 'Mad Challenges'

Future Routes Fund

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.

Rural Funding and Support

Orchids growing at Weem meadow SSSI near Aberfeldy. July 2016.©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot

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.

Mixed woodland and forestry near Pitlochry, Perthshire © Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot

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

A close up of machair, or fertile low-lying grassy plain

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.

All funding and projects listed below are now closed

Young people sitting on a bench overlooking a river

Better Places Green Recovery Fund
 

Glass building house covered by green ivy with blue sky

Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention

School children on a nature walk on the beach

Plunge in! The Coasts and Waters Community Fund

The Craw Stane with hills behind

Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund

Sand Dunes

Biodiversity Challenge Fund (BCF)
 

School children on a ranger led nature walk near Carmunnock cemetery, Glasgow as part of biodiversity week. ©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot

Outdoor Learning in Nature (OLIN) Fund

Other Sources of Funding

Funding Scotland

Find funding opportunities on the Funding Scotland website.

TCV

Find the latest Funding Update link in the 'Fundraising support' section of TCV website's 'Supporting Local Projects' page.