From the Solway Firth to the Highlands, and from rural farms to urban greenspace, new funding totalling more than £1 million for eight projects will support Scotland’s next steps to increase investment in nature.
NatureScot and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have announced the latest funding under the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland programme (FIRNS). The fund was established to support responsible private investment in nature that creates benefits which are shared by Scotland’s unique habitats and ecosystems and its communities.
With the latest funding news FIRNS, which launched in 2023, has created almost £4.8 million of support for nature-based investment in Scotland confirmed.
The eight projects who will receive support from the £1,055,117 funding announcement include agricultural, fishery, woodland, and urban and rural nature restoration. They are:
- Soil Association – Governance mechanisms for whole-farm and farm cluster natural capital project implementation.
- Dumfries and Galloway – Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP).
- City of Edinburgh Council – Edinburgh New Gardens – Urban Nature Restoration Investment Scheme.
- The Knoydart Foundation – The Knoydart Credit:A Partnership of Nature and Community.
- Fisheries Management Scotland – Developing a portfolio of river restoration investment packages and delivery support measures for a source to sea, nature finance model.
- Deciding Matters Limited – Community Benefit Certification Plug-In.
- Galloway Fisheries Trust – Annan Riparian Restoration Network.
- Ecosulis Ltd – Project L-AND
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “If we are going to meet our aim of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions and restoring and regenerating biodiversity by 2045, public and responsible private investment in Scotland’s nature will be essential.
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