The purpose of Rewilding Britain's Rewilding Innovation Fund is to help remove barriers to rewilding projects within Britain, whether they’re at the early planning stages or want to move a project one step wilder.
Rewilding Britain is particularly keen to encourage those who are taking an innovative approach to land and marine rewilding, which will help develop learning and evidence for others within the Rewilding Network.
Grants of up to £15,000 are available for projects with potential for the highest impact for people and nature. Between 15 and 20 grants are expected to be awarded across England, Scotland and Wales. Most grant awards are expected to be for £10,000 or less.
Grants, which must be spent within 15 months of the award, can cover costs such as (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
o Community engagement activities.
o Developing business plans and strategies.
o Direct interventions or any expertise that a project requires, and
o Feasibility studies.
The current round of funding will prioritise projects that:
o Develop the health benefits of rewilding, such as social prescribing.
o Follow community ownership model.
o Help develop learning and evidence for others within the Rewilding Network
o Implement community co-design, and
o Take an innovative approach to land and marine rewilding.
Projects must be:
o Based in England, Scotland or Wales.
o Part of the Rewilding Network (membership is free while Rewilding Britain trials and develops the network), and
o Rewilding (or about to) at scale – potentially as a group of landowners – and able to meet Rewilding Britain’s 5 Principles of Rewilding).
Please note that funding cannot be used capital costs or for the purchase of land.
The fund has a 2-stage application process, as follows:
1. Stage 1: applicants need to become a Rewilding Network member through the online portal on the Rewilding Britain website. Membership is free while Rewilding Britain trials and develops the network.
2. Stage 2: applicants may then complete and submit the online application form.
The deadline for applications is Friday 14th October 2022. The next grant round is scheduled for Spring 2023.
