Darwin Plus open for latest funding round for UK Overseas Territories

Defra: ‘There has been media coverage of the Darwin Plus funding scheme for UK Overseas Territories (OTs) re-opening for the latest round of applications and two government direct grants to St Helena and Montserrat. Darwin Plus provides around £3 million of funding annually to environmental projects in UK Overseas Territories and fellowships for UK Overseas Territories’ Nationals to train in the UK. The scheme is delivering on flagship commitments on improving biodiversity set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan in UK OTs around the globe. Biodiversity delivers many of nature’s key services: clean air and water, sustainable food supplies, and recovery and resilience to natural disasters.  Many economic activities depend on biodiversity, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. Since the start of 2018, the Darwin Plus funding has been awarded to 13 projects in South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, Falkland Islands, Montserrat and other UK Overseas Territories. The fund is administered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Development (DFID) and uses the UK Government’s Official Development Assistance.

Professor Stephen Blackmore, Chair of the Darwin Plus Advisory Group said: ‘The range of the projects funded by Darwin Plus in the UK’s Overseas Territories shows how we can effect change and better support and protect biodiversity around the globe. I am proud that we are delivering Darwin Plus funding to benefit animal and plant species and their habitats, which are vital to humanity’s economic and social development. A full list of projects currently being supported by Darwin Plus is available on the Darwin Initiative website.’