Grants are available for groups and organisations in the UK to provide a mechanism for quick responses to unexpected crises and opportunities with potentially significant environmental outcomes.

Fund Information

Funding body:

Environmental Funders Network

Maximum value:

£ 25,000

Application deadline:

None specified

Background

The Environmental Funders Network is a network of trusts, foundations and individuals founded in 2003 with the aim of increasing financial support for environmental causes in the UK.

Objectives of Fund

The Rapid Response Fund aims to support groups who are trying to seize unexpected opportunities or react to unforeseen crises with a potentially significant environmental outcome. This means supporting organisations who need immediate help in response to situations that are not possible to predict or anticipate.

Value Notes

The maximum grant available is £25,000.

The average amount awarded is £10,000.

Payment of the grant can be made either by BACS or cheque.

Who Can Apply

Applications from environmental groups concerning all green issues will be considered.

However, preference will be given to less well-funded issues, including:

• Trade and finance.
• Consumption and waste.
• Toxics and pollution.
• Transport.
• Fresh water.

Projects can be undertaken anywhere in the world, but the applicant organisation must be UK based.

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Costs to address funding issues specific to the applicant organisation (ie, emergency cash-flow funding).
• Provision of match funding.
• Individuals.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding can be include the following costs:

• Legal fees e.g. paying for solicitors.
• Hosting and organising climate emergency events.
• Lobbying for green COVID-19 recovery strategies.
• Creation and support of new green jobs and infrastructure.
• Organising and mobilising indigenous communities against deforestation and encroachment from agribusiness.

Projects that have been awarded funding include:

• Helping the Amazonian Kayapó tribe to organise its largest gathering since 1989 to co-develop their strategy to defend their territory against the Brazilian Government.
• Input from E3G into the European Investment Bank’s Energy Strategy which ultimately contributed to the EIB’s decision to stop funding fossil fuels in 2021.
• The Scottish Wildlife Trust hiring a Queen’s Counsel who helped them defeat a proposal for a golf course at Coul Links, a triple-designated site of conservation importance.
• The Climate Coalition organising the first ever virtual mass lobby of UK Parliament, on the importance of a green recovery from COVID-19.
• A campaign coordinated by Wildlife & Countryside Link and ClientEarth for a ‘National Nature Service’ to support the creation of new green jobs.
• A ‘Mock COP’ for young people that was held online when the real COP26 should have taken place in November 2020, involving 330 young people from 140 countries.

Location

United Kingdom.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis and are reviewed by a small advisory group of funders.

Guidelines and an application form can be found on the Environmental Funders Network’s website.

Useful documents & links

Useful Links

•  Environmental Funders Network – Rapid Response Fund

Addresses and contacts

For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:

1. Enquiries
   Environmental Funders Network
   48 High Street
   Long Crendon
   Aylesbury
   Buckinghamshire
   HP18 9AF
   Email: emma@greenfunders.org