Projects that restore nature, safeguard wildlife and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss and climate change will get a share of £10 million through a new Scottish Government fund.

The Nature Restoration Fund will support a mix of urban and rural-focused projects, such as improving greenspace for outdoor learning, green active travel routes, planting of wildlife corridors and natural flood management.

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is a competitive fund. It encourages applications from projects that support actions that help nature recover across Scotland. The Fund has 2 themes:

1. Making Space for Nature (urban focused nature based solutions for biodiversity and climate change); and
2. Helping nature recover (rural focused biodiversity enhancement, climate resilience and reinstatement).

Half of the funding will go to local authorities to develop new or existing projects which help address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, but which also aim to promote the health and wellbeing of local communities and reduce inequalities.

The remaining £5 million will include a small project competitive fund of £1 million to be distributed by NatureScot, and the balance will go directly to established nature restoration projects across Scotland, including native-tree planting, nature restoration in rivers, lochs and coasts, and improving and connecting habitats.

Closing date for application is midnight on 27 July 2021.

Find out more about the Nature Restoration Fund

Find out more and Apply for the small project competitive fund