• Seagrass germination pilot programme

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  • Net cutting collection & recycling pilot programme

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  • Marine Litter data collection and monitoring on Scottish Islands

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  • Young People at COAST, Youth Action Plan

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  • Guardians of our rivers

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  • Rewilding Ardura community woodland project

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  • Mapping & modelling resources – phase 2

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  • Lower plants specialist – year 2

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  • River Spey Partnership

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  • North Ronaldsay Beach Plastic Recycling Warden

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  • RSPB Scotland Abernethy Community Woodland Rangers

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  • WDC Shorewatch Youth Programme

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  • Highland Primary Schools Birdboxes – year 2

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  • Wester Ross native oyster restoration

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  • Mapping & modelling resource for coastal communities

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  • Coastal Ranger service – extension

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  • Blue Hope Alliance – project officer, marine conservation

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  • Cairngorm Cranes, development period

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  • Friends of Loch Hourn – fact finding mission

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  • Knapdale water vole project

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  • De facto ban of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) by salmon farms

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  • West Loch Ness Farm Cluster

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  • Highland Primary Schools Birdbox project

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  • The Argyll Coast and Islands Hope Spot

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  • Saving Scotland’s Rainforest

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  • Lochaline Native Oyster Restoration

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  • Beach Ranger

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  • Lower plants specialist post

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Grant criteria Overview

  • WHO: Local non-profit organisations, associations, clubs or unions, social cooperative enterprises and/or other local bodies, including research centres, are strongly encouraged to apply for grants.

  • Non-local applicants already active in the area, or experts, may also be eligible for grants and strategic partnerships, if they prove that they can offer capacity building to the locals and/or tangible impact through their work on the ground.

  • All applicants must display strong and effective leadership and emphasise an integrated, bottom-up approach, consulting with, mobilising and involving local communities and demonstrating positive community impact.

  • WHAT: Applications for funding from the HIEF should fit into one of the Foundation’s key areas of interest and demonstrate clear, measurable environmental impact.

  • The proposed projects shall be clear and compelling, with the objective to create measurable and sustainable long-term results, build capacity and encourage participation by the local society.

  • Ideally, the proposed activities shall be sufficiently visible to leverage additional support from other funding sources.

  • WHERE: The HIEF will support projects throughout the Scottish highlands and islands. Projects with opportunities for replicability, to amplify their impact, will be prioritised.

When to apply

Applications for grants will be accepted in three periods in 2023.

Application deadlines are:

  • 9am, Monday, 13th February 2023
  • 9am, Monday, 15th May 2023
  • 9am, Monday, 18th September 2023

How to apply

All applicants need to complete and submit our application form. If your application is approved, you will need to sign a Grant Agreement specifying the terms of our collaboration. Please complete the online application form below or contact sally@hief.scot for a paper version.