Capacity building for communities, reduction of deforestation, empowerment of youth in conservation issues, soil restoration, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity restoration and support for eco-entrepreneurship. are some of the topics that have funding available in May 2025.

 

Discover opportunities that can enhance conservation and sustainable development! 

 

• Spatial thinking: Inspiring action through place-based solutions National Geographic. The call supports projects that address place-specific challenges by using spatial thinking to develop educational solutions that encourage action for the planet and its inhabitants. Priority is given to interdisciplinary approaches that integrate geospatial technologies, maps, data, and innovative tools to engage people of all ages in visualizing and analyzing information. Projects are considered in all of National Geographic's focus areas, such as ocean, land, wildlife, human histories and cultures, planetary health, and space. In addition, special priority will be given to initiatives related to freshwater, addressing its availability, demand, quality, access and sustainability, always through spatial thinking tools that promote education and conservation of the resource. Closing date: May 5. Apply here.

 

• Global Forest Watch Small Grants Funds. The Global Forest Watch Small Grants Fund (SGF) seeks to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and local communities to effectively use GFW tools and data to reduce illegal or unplanned deforestation. Successful projects translate data into action, applying GFW to overcome challenges in protecting the world's forests. Closing date: May 9. Apply here.

 

• Network Solutions Youth Empowerment Fund. It seeks to address the barriers to youth mobilization and create an enabling environment that connects and empowers young people in all their diversity to take action on the major challenges facing them and the world. Thus, increasing their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities and societies.. Closing date: May 18. Apply here.

 

• Youth for Climate 2025. The Government of Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with a number of knowledge partners and youth country groups, have set out to identify, support and scale up youth-led climate breakthroughs through the Youth4Climate (Y4C) global initiative. The aim is to fund new and existing youth-led solutions that are ready to implement or scale, and to support the further development of youth ideas and projects by providing relevant learning opportunities with the support of partners. They focus on 6 themes: sustainable energy, Food and Agriculture, Climate and Health, Technology for the planet and «Climate, Justice and Security». Closing date: May 26th. Apply here.

 

• FAO | Global recognition for best practices and innovative initiatives in sustainable forest protection and production. To commemorate its 80th anniversary, FAO has launched a call for nominations to recognize global forestry champions who have made outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management and the transformation of agri-food systems, as well as other global processes that are relevant to FAO's mandate.. Closing date: May 31. Apply here.

 

• Support from Rainforest Trust. The main objective must be the creation/expansion of a protected or conserved area. (The proposed area must be currently unprotected. It can be verified here: https://www.protectedplanet.net/en). Closing date: June 1. Apply here.

 

• Initiatives in Action for the Blue Five« Competition». Ehe contest seeks to support sustainable blue economy initiatives that promote the conservation, management and responsible use of migratory marine megafauna, generating a direct or indirect positive impact on the marine ecosystems of the Blue Five.. Closing date: June 23. Apply here.

 

• Call for Applications: GLFx Chapter Program 2026. GLFx is an opportunity-building network for local organizations, community and grassroots initiatives, known as GLFx chapters, that transform landscapes from the ground up, forge inclusive partnerships, and advocate for policy change. From leading public dialogues to advocating for agroforestry, land restoration, sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity restoration, eco-entrepreneurship, reforestation campaigns and more environmental solutions, GLFx chapters are at the forefront of change in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Through the GLFx network, chapters leverage opportunities and partnerships to network, learn, be featured in the media and at global events, and access seed funding for sustainable and inclusive landscape management. Closing date: June 29th. Apply here.

 

• 2026 Restoration Stewards Program. Created in 2020 by the Global Landscapes Forum and the Youth in Landscapes Initiative, it seeks to support youth teams working on comprehensive landscape and seascape restoration, protecting biocultural diversity. Closing date: June 29th. Apply here.

 

• Grants from Rapid Response Facility (RRF). The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) provides emergency support to natural World Heritage sites in times of crisis. The RRF is a partnership between the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). RRF grants are available to natural UNESCO World Heritage sites. The RRF only funds actions at a site facing an ‘emergency’ threat to its biodiversity. They do not fund ongoing problems, even if they require urgent action. Closing date: No deadline. Apply here.

 

• Grant program from OFID. Its focus areas are: (1) energy; (2) agriculture; (3) water and sanitation; (4) health; and (5) education. OFID has several financing schemes that include public sector lending (the main pillar of OFID's operations), private sector support and grant financing. Its grant program focuses on (1) technical assistance, (2) support to the people of Palestine, (3) energy poverty, (4) HIV/AIDS program, (5) research and similar intellectual activities, and (6) emergency relief. Closing date: No closing date. Apply here.

 

• Rufford Grants Program. This grant program offers grants for nature conservation projects in the developing world. There are five consecutive funding schemes: Rufford Small Grant, 2nd Rufford Small Grant, Booster Grant, 2nd Booster Grant and Completion Grant. The overriding requirement is that the work must be pragmatic in nature and have a substantial and lasting impact on the issue in question (conservation). There will often be a significant human element to a successful proposal, with community education and involvement being very important. The Foundation has a broad scope of interest. In addition to the conservation of animals in their habitat, it also wishes to support conservation work focused on threatened habitats and other organisms such as plants, fungi or insects. Closing date: No closing date. Apply here.

 

• Reece Foundation Grant. Support local initiatives that help communities in Australia and overseas to access clean water, sanitation or food security through irrigation.. Closing date: No closing date. Apply here.

 

You can also learn about online funding opportunities aimed at financing and strengthening projects that promote biodiversity and address climate change for indigenous peoples. here.