The Cairngorms Trust's Networks for Nature Fund has been established to help develop nature projects specifically related to climate change and to tackle biodiversity decline within the Cairngorms National Park.

There are five main themes for this year's fund and these are listed below. However, the Trust will consider other nature-based projects that fit the criteria of the fund. The themes are:

Creating networks for nature to thrive in
Nature resilience
Community nature projects
Pollinator projects
Youth-led and youth education projects, improving access to courses and encouraging careers in the nature environment

Please note: applications have closed for the latest round of the Networks for Nature Fund; however, the Cairngorms Trust do plan to repeat the process soon. Keep an eye on our website or the Cairngorms Trust's website for all the latest updates.

What will it fund?

The fund is designed to support Cairngorms communities - and the businesses based in those communities - taking locally-led action to:

Enhance and / or increase the size, connectivity and quality of important nature habitats, eg through native tree planting, creation of wildlife and wildflower areas, wetland habitat creation, creating corridors for nature etc.
Support and protect land-based and freshwater plant and animal species, particularly those which are threatened and Cairngorms Priority Species. This might include trailing innovative techniques, species re-introduction or creating stepping stones for nature.
Increase the area of pollinator-friendly habitat, eg creating wildflower meadows / grasslands, flower-rich road verges etc.
Encourage youth-led (ie under 30 years old) nature-based projects
Fund young people to gain nature-based qualifications, helping them gain skills that will increase their chances of gaining nature-based employment in future.

How much is the fund worth?

The fund has approximately £50,000 available to support projects within the Cairngorms National Park. All projects will need to be completed in a full calendar year from the date on the offer of grant letter.

The Trust anticipates that the majority of the projects will be looking for funding in the £5,000 to £15,000 range; however, they will also look to fund a number of smaller community projects or qualification courses up to and around £1,000.

What are the key dates?

11 May 2025 - deadline for expressions of interest
Late May - successful expressions of interest will be sent an application form
20 July - fund closes to applications
w/c 25 August - successful applicants notified and offer letters sent out

For more information check out the Cairngorms Trust website.

Get in touch

If you have read the above and think you have a project that meets the criteria, or would like to discuss your project in more detail, email [email protected]

Fund delivered by the Cairngorms Trust