The Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP), a partnership of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and Arcadia, has opened its Planning Grants call to support the preparatory work required to develop new large-scale landscape and seascape restoration initiatives.
Working in partnership with landowners, local communities, and public and private actors, the programme aims to restore degraded ecosystems across Europe and the Mediterranean region. These Planning Grants are designed to enable project teams to build strong foundations for future restoration efforts, addressing ecological, social, and technical barriers.
Eligible activities include, among others:
- Building partnerships and alliances;
- Conducting stakeholder analyses and engagement processes;
- Gathering and reviewing available data and evidence;
- Carrying out field surveys and technical assessments;
- Reviewing policy and planning frameworks;
- Preparing business plans and long-term funding strategies;
- Establishing land ownership and rights;
- Co-designing a vision, theory of change, and detailed restoration plan;
- Preparing maps, scoping studies, and funding proposals.
Please note that these are stand-alone grants. The ELSP does not plan to fund full implementation projects beyond this preparatory stage.
The maximum amount that any project can apply for is $120,000 USD.
Applications must be led by not-for-profit organisations, including NGOs, research institutions, and social enterprises. Project leads may partner with local governments, private landowners, and other key stakeholders.
Application Process and Deadlines:
- Stage 1 – Expressions of Interest – Deadline: January 20th, 2026 at 17:00 GMT
Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. - Stage 2 – Full Project Proposals – Deadline: June 2nd, 2026 at 17:00 BST
Projects are eligible from a broad geographic scope within the region, including Türkiye. For Seascape Planning Grants, eligibility extends to all Mediterranean coastal waters, notably those of Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. A complete overview of eligibility criteria is available in the call guidance accessible here.
Applications must be submitted through the ELSP online form.
Questions regarding the application process may be directed to: v.austin@jbs.cam.ac.uk
As UCLG-MEWA, we encourage our members to explore this opportunity, particularly those working on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions.
