Deadline Date: April 16, 2026
The European Commission is now accepting grant applications to support citizen involvement in nature conservation and restoration, helping to achieve climate resilience and the preservation of biodiversity.
The focus areas include citizen engagement in nature conservation, creating new business opportunities for nature restoration, and supporting the EU’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Objectives include testing innovative approaches for citizen-led nature restoration, engaging diverse communities, and creating social incentives for participation. Key priorities are developing citizen toolkits for species conservation, pest control, and invasive species management. Themes of inclusivity and the assessment of citizens’ contributions to biodiversity goals are central.
The European Commission is offering grants of up to €10,000,000, with an average grant of around €5,000,000, to support innovative projects focused on citizen-driven nature conservation and restoration efforts.
The EU strategy emphasizes that protecting and restoring nature requires active citizen participation, alongside regulatory efforts. This initiative aims to create new opportunities for citizens to engage in nature restoration, focusing on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Proposals should explore innovative, scalable methods for citizens to directly contribute to conservation, beyond monitoring.
Proposals should engage diverse communities, using inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches to ensure equal participation. Citizen toolkits for species conservation, including habitat creation and pest management, are key components. Social innovation leading to new services or products for nature restoration is also encouraged.
This initiative is particularly suited for SMEs, especially those developing tools or kits for citizen involvement in nature conservation.
For more information, visit European Commission.
