Natural England

Working to halt the loss of biological diversity.

This fund aims to help achieve the UK government’s commitment to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 through supporting the recovery of priority species and habitats in England. This commitment to halt biodiversity loss was made by European leaders at the 2001 EU Summit in Gothenburg and the Countdown 2010 initiative seeks to raise awareness of this target.

Type of awards available

• The Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund (C2010) will support projects carried out by voluntary organisations that directly contribute to the conservation of UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and species in England.
• Grants will be made for a maximum of three years, which will be for financial years 08/09, 09/10 and 10/11. We anticipate announcing the awards by 1 September 2008.
• Grants will be awarded for a minimum of £25,000 and a maximum £250,000 in each of the three years. We can not accept applications outside of these financial ranges. You do not have to apply for the same amount in each year.
• Grants are awarded up to a maximum of 50% of the total project costs. Matched funding from non-treasury sources must be secured to fund the remaining 50% of project costs. In kind contributions, such as volunteer time, can be used as part of this matched funding contribution.

Eligibility

Only formally constituted voluntary organisations (including registered charities) can apply for C2010 funding. These are defined in Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 as: "a body the activities of which are carried out otherwise than for profit, but does not include any public or local authority". This means that to be eligible an organisation must be:

• formally and independently constituted in some way with a membership, management committee, bank account and annual accounts;
• a body which only carries out activities other than for profit.

Assessment Criteria

Assessments will be based on the extent to which applicants demonstrate:

1. how the proposal will benefit BAP priority species and/or habitats in England;
2. how the proposal will benefit the best sites for wildlife in England (including local wildlife sites);
3. the extent to which the specified gains for BAP priority species and habitats achieved by the project will also support enhancements at a landscape-scale (for example through reducing the effects of fragmentation);
4. how the project will develop the evidence base for BAP priority species and habitats, for example through surveying and monitoring, trialling of habitat management techniques;
5. effective partnership working, for example by engaging with regional or local biodiversity partnerships, schools and local businesses, in order to deliver particular outcomes for BAP priority habitats and species;
6. that the benefits of the project will be sustained after the funding period ends, i.e. that there will be a lasting legacy;
7. value for money;
8. that the proposal has adequate available matched funding.

It will also benefit your application if you can:

9. explain how achievements and outcomes will be assessed and recorded, and how they will be communicated to the public;
10. demonstrate how your project will benefit adaptation to climate change.

Application Form (660 kB)

Guidance Notes

Your application must be received at Natural England by 5pm on Friday 18 July 2008.

Enquiries

For enquiries about this scheme please contact:

John Bedford (01733 455415) or Trudie Mills (01733 455185)
email: countdown2010@naturalengland.org.uk

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