Darwin Plus Grant Applications are Open

Organizations in Montserrat have another opportunity to apply to Darwin Plus for grants to finance environmental projects.

The Darwin Plus scheme is now opened for applications to fund conservation and environmental projects in UK Overseas Territories. 

Darwin Plus says it will deliver on flagship commitments set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan in UK Overseas Territories around the globe.

The programme offers fellowships for UK Overseas Territories Nationals to train in the UK

Since the start of 2018, the Darwin Plus funding has been awarded to 13 projects in South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, Falkland Islands, Montserrat and other UK Overseas Territories.

The fund is administered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for International Development (DFID) and uses the UK Government’s Official Development Assistance.

Chair of the Darwin Plus Advisory Group Professor Stephen Blackmore says the range of the projects funded by Darwin Plus in the UK’s Overseas Territories shows how it can effect change and better support and protect biodiversity around the globe.

He also says he’s proud that they are delivering funding to benefit animal and plant species and their habitats, which are vital to humanity’s economic and social development.

The 2018 initiative funded by Darwin Plus in Montserrat is an island wide recycling and plastic reduction project.

Montserrat imports approximately one million plastic and glass bottles per year.

Meanwhile, the United Government has announced a package of funding and support for UK Overseas Territories.

The new projects will see a scheme to reduce and monitor plastic pollution on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean and a new data collecting and reporting system for Montserrat to help create long-term sustainable fisheries.

In making the announcement, Environment Secretary, Michael Gove states that protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the UK’s Overseas Territories will help to make crucial activities such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism more sustainable.