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• We're looking for diverse groups (landowners, sea-users, organisations, communities, businesses, etc.) who want to work together to develop innovative models to scale up rewilding.
• Following the theme ‘Think Big, Act Wild’, we expect project areas to be land or seascape scale, where natural processes can deliver their maximum benefits sustainably into the future.ÌýFor example, a 1000ha (terrestrial) or 10km2 (marine) project would consist of a contiguous land or seascape, the majority of which was proposed for rewilding.
• From these, we'll prioritise those projects with demonstrable ambition to create and deliver plans to restore and reinstate natural processes, habitats and missing species to the maximum extent.Ìý
• We'd love to see applications from both well-established projects or those at the beginning of their journey, spanning both land and marine habitats.
• We're particularly interested in community-led and co-designed approaches to rewilding which bring lasting social, economic and ecological benefits for local communities.
• Successful projects will need to be part of, or be eligible to join our Rewilding Network. They must also demonstrate a commitment to share knowledge and experiences in an accessible way.
• If you have applied to the Rewilding Innovation Fund, you can still apply to the Challenge Fund. If you applied last year, you are also able to reapply.
• Projects must be based in England, Wales or Scotland.
• The fund cannot finance capital works or land purchase.

The selected project will be expected to deliver its outcomes within two years of being awarded funding. By the end of this period it will be expected to have:

• A clearly articulated plan, vision and theory of change
• A partnership of relevant organisations/communities/stakeholders to deliver the plan
• A fundraising and investment proposal for future delivery

Stage 1 — Expression of interest

Once applications are open in 2026, the first stage is for projects to submit a short expression of interest to the fund. This should be completed by the lead organisation.

If you are not a Rewilding Network member but would like to apply, please check you are eligible to join the network before applying, by reviewing our criteria or contacting the team at [email protected]

Expressions of interest will be assessed and shortlisted by the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Challenge Fund steering group. Shortlisted projects will be invited to stage 2.

All projects will be notified of our decision at this stage.
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Stage 2 — Full applications

Shortlisted projects will be invited to submit a full application and join the steering group for a short presentation and Q&A session.

The steering group will assess all applications and presentations before making a final decision.