Deadline: 30-Jun-24

Applications are now open for the European Organisation for Outdoor Conservation (EOCA) Grants Programme.

EOCA funds projects that benefit biodiversity in a wild landscape. The definition of "landscape" includes marine environments and a wide range of wild and non-urban spaces. Projects must conserve, protect, enhance, restore and/or reconnect habitats within a given landscape that are particularly important for local biodiversity.

The focus on biodiversity must also address the importance that EOCA attaches to the issue of climate change. Projects must ensure that conserved habitats are those that sequester carbon, reduce emissions, enable adaptations to climate change and/or protect against future habitat and biodiversity losses.

It is also very important that projects are beneficial to local communities living in or near these habitats. Projects should emphasise how they encourage local habitat management, alleviate poverty, support local ecosystem services and, at the same time, connect with outdoor enthusiasts who value these precious wild spaces.

Areas

• The two main areas that must be addressed in its application are:
  • Protect, enhance or restore threatened key species, habitats or wider ecosystems in "wild" areas 
    • EOCA defines "wild" areas as non-urban environments and ecosystems that occur in the most natural state possible, given the location and use of the area. This can include, for example, moorland, hills, mountains, coastlines, rivers, forests, grasslands, peatlands and ocean areas. "Key" species, habitats or ecosystems are defined here as those that are threatened, those that fulfil a "cornerstone" function or those that are indicators of wider ecosystem health. The project should identify and address the main threats to species, habitats or wider ecosystems, and how it will protect and/or improve them. Innovative solutions to "old" problems will be especially welcome!
    • Is the species an "indicator" of wider habitat and ecosystem health? i.e. by recovering its populations, will it have a beneficial effect on other species and wildlife communities? Can the species be considered a "keystone" species, i.e. a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance, and can create conditions for other species to thrive?
  • Consider the needs of the outdoor enthusiast
    • As emphasised above, the project should enhance the experience of outdoor enthusiasts, as well as protecting the identified species, habitat or wider ecosystem from any negative impact of their visits. Projects can, for example, improve the visitor experience by protecting an endangered species they may see, or protect an area by ensuring that associated trails/rock walls/watercourses and/or information/education prevent visitors from damaging fragile habitats or disturbing vulnerable wildlife.

Information on financing

• EOCA will fund a maximum of €30,000 per project. Any applications over this amount will not be considered for funding. (The total project budget may be higher if there are other sources of funding.)

Project results

• Your application should include three easily identifiable and measurable outcomes to show how the project will address the above issues. They should consider:
  • Conservation measures that address specific issues and root causes 
    • What threats have been identified to the species/habitat/ecosystem? What are the impacts of these threats? How will these threats be eliminated, mitigated or better managed? How will the habitat/ecosystem be protected, improved or restored? How will the project deliver the desired results? How will the experience of the local community, visitors and the habitat be improved in the long term?
    • Please note: projects must include practical conservation work on the ground, such as planting trees, removing invasive species, anti-poaching measures, restoring habitats, etc.
  • Involvement/engagement of the local population 
    • For a project to be sustainable, it is vital that the local population is fully involved. If local communities, and also communities of interest, are not involved, they may not feel any need or desire to ensure that the good work that has been started continues into the future. Obviously, if specialised work needs to be carried out, it may be necessary to hire relevant experts, but wherever possible, projects will involve the local community, giving them ownership of the project and its results, and contributing to their livelihoods during and after the project.
    • Note: EOCA will consider projects that provide social benefits as a result of conservation measures. However, projects whose sole aim is to provide only social benefits will not be eligible; projects must implement conservation measures with a link to the outdoor enthusiast.
  • Education and communication
    • Education and communication should be aimed at both local communities and visitors. Education should include communicating responsible ways to enjoy the project area, suggestions on how visitors and local residents can reduce threats to species, habitat or the ecosystem, and ways in which they can help protect the biodiversity of the project area. How will you effectively reach potential visitors to the area and communicate with the local community, and how will this process continue once EOCA's funding for the project ends?
    • Note: EOCA will not consider projects based on 100% in education.
  • How your project helps mitigate climate change
    • This can include the restoration, conservation and protection of habitats and ecosystems that store and/or capture carbon, for example.
    • The projects must also
      • Be measurable and time-orientated
        • The work must demonstrate clear and measurable impacts over its duration (up to 24 months for December applications and 36 months for June applications). What indicators can be measured to demonstrate impact? For example, if training is provided, how will you measure its success? If anti-poaching measures are used, how will you evaluate their effectiveness?
        • Some examples of measurable, time-oriented results: 'number' of trees to be planted by 'date'; 'number' of metres of trail to be created/restored by 'date'; 'number' of invasive species clearances/removals carried out over 'number' days and covering 'number' hectares and 'number' of 'sites'; 'number' of workshops to be held by 'date'; at least 'number' of volunteers/sites carrying out 'project goals' over 'number' of days.
      • Provide a legacy
        • The beneficial effects of the project must be sustained beyond the duration of the project. What processes will be put in place to ensure that the work started will continue to be monitored and managed in the long term? How will the project benefit the livelihoods of the local population or the local economy during and after the project?

Election criteria

• Non-profit organisations can apply to EOCA for grants of up to 30,000 euros to implement a conservation project of up to two years' duration in any country in the world, except North America (USA and Canada - where the Conservation Alliance provides funding for conservation efforts). of the North American outdoor industry).
• Project applications are selected according to their ability to meet EOCA's funding criteria. Using this criterion, the shortlist of projects is drawn up at the sole discretion of EOCA's General Managers, Scientific Advisors and Board of Directors. The General Managers will seek additional advice from EOCA's Scientific Advisors if necessary. Due to the diverse nationalities that make up the entire panel, all applications must be written in English.
• The projects that succeed in obtaining funding will be chosen from the shortlist through a public vote and/or a vote by EOCA members (in April for applications received in November and in October for applications received in June).
• Public voting involves some effort on the part of the projects involved to mobilise supporters and generate votes for their project over a two-week period. However, the process also gives projects a very valuable opportunity to raise the profile and awareness of their organisation and its work in an international arena. Public voting offers the chance to reach thousands of people who would otherwise be unaware of the projects.
• Project applications must:
  • protect an endangered species or habitat;
  • have a link for the outdoor enthusiast; and
  • involve practical conservation work.

For more information, visit EOCA .