Our funding
The Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme supports ambitious, large-scale ecosystem restoration projects that bring nature back to degraded landscapes and seascapes across Europe.
Our funding enables the restoration of natural processes and the recovery of species, creating dynamic, connected, resilient ecosystems. It also supports the people, partnerships and knowledge that make restoration possible.
Since the Programme began in 2019, we have committed significant funding to support large-scale ecosystem restoration across Europe. These grants represent long-term investment in restoring nature, supporting collaboration, and enabling learning across a diverse portfolio of landscapes and seascapes.
million dollars (USD) in funding committed by Arcadia.
large-scale restoration projects funded.
Planning Grants awarded to help organisations scale up their restoration initiatives.
The number of countries ELSP-funded projects are active in.
Grant types
We fund a range of grant types that support restoration across different stages and contexts. Open calls are publicised when opened for applications.
Long-term implementation of large-scale ecosystem restoration
Typically 5 to 6 years
Open calls
These grants support ambitious projects that restore ecosystems at scale. They fund practical restoration actions, monitoring, stakeholder engagement and the scaling of successful approaches in terrestrial and marine environments. Through sustained investment, projects can guide ecosystems towards crucial tipping points, recognising that lasting restoration unfolds over decades. Alongside ecological restoration, these grants also strengthen communities and support local nature-based economies, creating opportunities for people to connect with and benefit from healthier landscapes and seascapes.
Support early-stage development of new restoration initiatives
Typically 12 to 18 months
Open calls
Planning Grants make it possible to take the first steps towards future restoration projects. They cover essential activities such as stakeholder consultation, feasibility studies and vision development.
This early support helps teams build strong foundations for ambitious initiatives and create partnerships that can carry them forward. They do not form part of the Restoration Grant pathway but provide vital standalone support for new ideas and partnerships.
Overcome barriers to restoration through building evidence, knowledge sharing and capacity building
1 to 2 years
Restricted calls to ELSP grantees and their project-partners and Cambridge Conservation Initiative partners
Restoring degraded landscapes and seascapes is complex, with ecological, social and economic challenges still to be resolved. Advancing Restoration Knowledge grants draw on the expertise and networks of the Programme and the Cambridge Conservation Initiative to address these gaps. They fund projects that generate new evidence, develop tools and guidance, and share knowledge, enabling practitioners to improve understanding and tackle barriers to large-scale restoration.
Explore and enable restoration through cultural and creative practice
Variable, typically 12-18 months
Managed calls or by invitation
These residencies are a collaboration between two Cambridge Conservation Initiative programmes: the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme and the Arts, Science and Conservation Programme. They support artists to respond creatively to landscapes and seascapes in transition, whether through site-specific residencies, participatory work, or artistic responses to change. By connecting art, science and conservation, these grants open up new ways for people to experience and engage with restoration.
More than just funding
Grantees become part of a wider restoration community. Alongside financial support, the Programme provides dedicated expertise, collaboration and opportunities to share learning. We work closely with grantees to strengthen outcomes, respond to challenges and share experience across the wider restoration community.
Our support includes:
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Ongoing input from our science and management staff -
Participation in knowledge exchange visits and peer learning events -
Guidance on monitoring and evaluation approaches -
Amplification through ELSP and CCI networks -
Communications through the Programme’s media channels
Selection process
We do not run regular funding rounds. Open calls are announced and shared via our LinkedIn and Instagram channels.
All applications are assessed by our independent Oversight and Selection Panel, whose members bring a wide range of expertise in ecology, restoration practice, policy and social equity.
Projects are selected based on the criteria of the individual grant type.
Where we fund
The Programme supports restoration projects across biogeographical Europe, including both terrestrial and marine regions within Europe’s biogeographic zones.
Eligibility criteria, including country eligibility, are defined with each funding round and published alongside the relevant call.
We aim to build a geographically diverse portfolio that reflects a variety of ecological, sociopolitical and economic contexts.
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