The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment through locally based projects worldwide.
The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps protect biodiversity, the natural environment and the local communities that live alongside it in developing countries.
Most projects will include one or more of:
Since 1992, the Darwin Initiative has awarded over £164m to more than 1,143 projects across 159 countries.
For further information on the related funds, Darwin Plus working in the UK Overseas Territories and the IWT Challenge Fund, please follow the links provided below:
The Darwin Expert Committee, consists of experts from government, academia, science and the private sector. The committee advises ministers on development of the initiative, reviews applications and makes recommendations to ministers on applications for funding.
The Darwin Expert Committee is one of the Biodiversity Challenge Funds Expert Groups. There is a joint Biodiversity Challenge Funds Expert Groups Handbook which outlines their purpose, management and activity. The Expert Groups also use Defra’s Travel & Subsistence Policy.
EJ Milner-Gulland (Chair) – University of Oxford
Amy Dickman – University of Oxford
Chris McOwen – UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
Chris West – Independent
Dave Pritchard – Independent
Debbie Pain – Independent
Dilys Roe – International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
James Gordon – WWF
Jo Elliot – Fauna & Flora International (FFI)
Julia Jones – Bangor University
Katharine Abernethy – University of Stirling
Matthew Gollock – Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Mark Infield – Independent
Mike Harrison – Independent
Patricia Davis – C3
Patricia Mupeta-Muyamwa – The Nature Conservancy
Ex-officio members:
Chris Lyal – National History Museum
Ed McManus – Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
Professor Monique Simmonds – Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
