Nature Restoration Fund opens for applications
A fund to help communities tackle climate change is open for applications.
The Nature Restoration Fund aims to help achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Communities, groups and organisations are invited to apply for funding to help their project – no matter how large or small – become a reality.
Spearheaded by the Scottish Government, the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) supports projects to help tackle the nature and climate crises, working to restore Scotland’s biodiversity and increase resilience to climate change, while improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.
North Ayrshire Council aims to ensure that the local NRF allocation delivers the maximum benefit for local nature.
To do so, the Council intends to utilise some of the allocation to support local projects being delivered by our partners and local community groups.
Local projects will be required to meet one of the NRF priority themes and must be delivered before 31 March 2026. The NRF priority themes are as follows:
- Habitat and species restoration: Management for enhancement and connectivity.
- Freshwater restoration, including restoration of natural flows in rural catchments.
- Coastal and marine initiatives which promote restoration, recovery, enhancement or resilience.
- Control of invasive non-native species impacting on nature.
- Urban: Enhancing and connecting nature across, and between, towns and cities.
Quote: Climate change affects all of us and the actions we take – both collectively and as individuals - are fundamental to our future. This fund encourages everyone to play their part in tackling global warming and helping to restore our wonderful natural environment. No project is too small as every action we take can bring positive benefits. So please get in touch to find out how you can play a role in preserving and restoring our environment and ultimately making a huge difference to the world around us.”
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
The Council seeks proposals from partners and community organisations for projects that promote nature restoration in North Ayrshire. We would encourage small, medium and large-scale projects to be submitted for funding support.
- Small scale projects from £50 to £1,000
- Medium scale projects up to £5,000
- Larger scale projects up to £10,000
To find out more about the fund or apply, please visit the Council website.
Published: 04 July 2025