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 to protect biodiversity and the natural environment in developing countries.
Darwin-funded projects usually aim to help preserve biodiversity and the local community that lives alongside it. 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.
Professor EJ Milner-Gulland (Chair) – University of Oxford
Dr Abigail Entwistle – Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Dr Amy Dickman – University of Oxford
Dr Chris McOwen – UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
Dr Chris West – Independent
Dave Pritchard – Independent
David Tickner – World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF)
Dr Dilys Roe – International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Dr Howard Nelson – Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Jo Elliot – Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Professor Julia Jones – Bangor University
Professor Katharine Abernethy – University of Stirling
Dr Mark Watson – Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Dr Paul Smith – Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Patricia Davis – Community Centred Conservation (C3)
Serah Munguti – Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Ex-officio members:
Chris Lyal – National History Museum
Ed McManus – Cefas
Professor Monique Simmonds – Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Vicky Morgan – Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
