An invitation to apply for the second round of funding under Project 4 of the Defra Fund for Biodiversity Recording in the Voluntary sector has been posted on the Natural England website. This contains details of what is covered, how to apply and how bids will be evaluated.
The Defra fund for biodiversity recording in the voluntary sector is a funding programme established to deliver part of the published government commitment in the Natural Environment White Paper to support the voluntary sector’s role in engaging with the natural environment and contributing to our understanding of its state and trends.
In total, the government has committed £1.2 million over three years to a series of funding schemes including support for the National Biodiversity Network, and research to support volunteer recorders and data use. These funds have been allocated to a series of activities, one of which, the Defra Fund, is administered by Natural England and totals £398,000 over a three year period 2011–14.
The broad aims of the fund are to:
- Increase the quality and relevance of biodiversity data available to national and local users, and to support decision making, research and conservation planning.
- Assist Local Record Centres, and other local groups, in the provision of a more effective and efficient service to data users, including through the development and piloting of new data entry and management systems.
- Work with the voluntary sector more widely to develop more structured approaches to data collection, including the development of local pilots that support collaboration between local groups and national societies.
Defra has established a capital scheme (project 4) to support these aims and the further objectives (listed on the Natural England website). Anyone can bid and bids will be evaluated using test criteria. Broadly they must; demonstrate a need, give details of resourcing, show how they can become self sustaining, and increase efficiency.
Deadline and contact info
The closing date for all bids is midnight on 16th December 2013. For any additional queries please contact andrew.m.thompson@naturalengland.org.uk