Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation Grant Application Form

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GRANT CRITERIA OVERVIEW

• Proposals should be concise, making a clear and compelling case for support including how you intend to measure the impact and long-term benefit of your project.

• The organisation and project lead must evidence strong and effective leadership and a meaningful connection to the project.

• Sustainability / nature regeneration must be a key outcome of the project.

• The project must demonstrate positive community, local, or national impact and support.

• Projects that are innovative with the potential to be replicated or to inform action elsewhere are especially welcomed. As are projects that benefit the local economy.

1. Introduction

2. Organisation details

3. The environmental issue and your solution

4. Who will you work with and how?

5. How will you track and measure the success of your work?

5.1 Project deliverables
5.2 Any environmental impacts that might be applicable
5.3 Any social, cultural, and economic outcomes that might be applicable

6. Have you considered the potential risks?

7. Your budget

8. Additional information

9. Declaration

Documents required to complete the application:

Charitable status proof
Budget

1. Introduction

1.1 Project title (Max 80 characters)

1.2 Project summary (Max 100 words) You will have the opportunity to say more later in the form

1.3 Total budget requested

Currency

Other currency

Amount requested from us

Amount requested from other sources (if any)

Value defaulted at 0

Total project cost

This is a calculated field

1.4 Proposed start and end dates of the project

Start date

Format: DD/MM/YY or DD/MM/YYYY

End date

Format: DD/MM/YY or DD/MM/YYYY

1.5 Where will the project take place? (if applicable)

Where specifically in the region/country will you be carrying out your work?

1.6 Are there any factors that may affect the timing of the project? (i.e. seasonal factors) (Max 100 words)

2. Organisation details

2.1 Organisation name

2.2 Lead Contact details

First name

Last name

Contact number

Please include area code (i.e.+44) and use a mobile # if possible

Role within organisation

2.3 Organisation address

Street

City

Postal Code

Country

2.4 Year of establishment

2.5 Legal status

Please upload proof of your legal status

2.6 Website

2. 7 Social media URLs:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

2.8 Has your organisation ever applied for a grant from HIEF before?

Yes - we have applied and received a grant from you beforeYes - we have applied but have not received a grant from you beforeNo - this is the first time we have applied to you

2.9 Please tell us about your organisation/group, and why you are suited to do this project. Please include any links you may have to past projects you have delivered (Max 500 words)

2.10 Please tell us about the people who will deliver the project and their qualifications/experience? (Max 500 words)

2.11 Please name any other organisations involved with this grant application

3. The environmental issue and your solution

3.1 What is the environmental or conservation issue that your project will address? (Max 100 words)

3.2 What are the main causes of this issue? And which are you addressing through your project? (Max 250 words)

3.3 Please describe in detail the project you want to deliver. (Max 1000 words)

4. Who will you work with and how?

4.1 Which of the following best describes the methods your project will use to pursue its goals? Please tick as many as apply

Working directly - Our project will directly preserve, protect, and regenerate habitats and / or species. Or prevent, slow down, or help us to adapt to climate change.Awareness raising - Raising people's awareness of the natural world and its value.Research and analysis - Improving our understanding of conservation issues and ‘what works’ to protect, preserve & regenerate environmentsEngagement - Promoting and supporting collective action.Campaigning - Helping businesses and consumers to act more sustainably.Advocacy and lobbying - Influencing governments and other institutionsOther

You selected 'Other' from the methods list please tell us more about the approach you'll use

4.2 Which, if any, of the following individuals, groups or organisations, if any, will partner with you to deliver your project? Please tick as many as apply

Local NGO leadersEnvironmental scientists and marine biologistsSustainability orientated businessesCampaignersVolunteersEducational institutionsLocal farmers/land ownersLocal government/politiciansNone of these - we do not plan to partner with anyoneOtherPartners are people, groups or institutions who will working alongside you to achieve similar aims. Partnerships can take many forms, including people who will co-deliver elements of the work, organisations that provide materials or venues and people you will train to deliver part of the project.

You selected 'Other' from the partner list please tell us more about them

4.3 Which of the following will be your target groups for the project? Please tick as many as apply, but please also note that when you select one group, you'll be asked to say how many people from the group you hope to reach, and will be expected to report final numbers at the end of the project

Local residentsSchools/Children and young peopleTouristsThe tourism and hospitality industry Other industries and corporates (i.e. energy/utilities/property etc.)FarmersFishermenThe food industry or restaurantsThe mediaAcademic institutions and universitiesLocal government or politiciansOtherTarget groups or stakeholders are the people that your project is seeking to engage with and to influence. Target groups can be very broad (i.e. 'children') or very narrow (i.e. restaurant owners')/ They can be people (i.e. tourists), institutions (i.e. local government) or industries (i.e. the fishing industry)

You selected 'Local residents' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

This must be a number field

You selected 'Schools/children and young people' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Tourists' please tell how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'The tourism and hospitality industry' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Other industries and corporates' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Farmers' please tell us how many of these people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Fishermen' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'The food industry or restaurants' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'The media' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Academic institutions and universities' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Local government/politicians' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

You selected 'Other' from the target group list please tell us more about them

You selected 'Other' please tell us how many people from this group you hope to reach through your project

5. How will you track and measure the success of your work?

The next questions will ask you to describe the indicators you will use to assess the progress and, possibly, the success of your project.

An indicator is a specific and observable accomplishment or change that could show your project has been a success.

These sections and indicators are informed by the Conservation Collective group theory of change. Click here to take a look.

We will ask you to think about three different types of indicators in this order:

Project deliverables

Any environmental impacts that might be applicable to your project

Any social, cultural or economic outcomes that might be applicable to your project

Of these you will only be asked to measure and report on your project deliverables at the end of the funding, but we would still like you to think about what your intended impact and outcomes might be, and reflect on these at the end if possible.

To help make this process as easy as possible we have listed common indicators that you could use. We have made suggestions and used examples, but you may need to expand on these to describe your own work.

5.1 Your deliverables

Please list and describe your 'project deliverables'.

These are the thing or things that you intend to produce, organise, achieve etc. This could be a piece of research or data collection, a course delivered, a website set up, a meeting organised, leaflets produced and distributed etc. This section refers to what successful delivery of a project should look like. Depending on the project, this could be as wide ranging from the successful completion of a piece of research, through to holding an event. Please add as many as you like.

At the end of the project we will ask you to report back on these.

Deliverable: Name

Deliverable: Description

Date you expect this to be completed

Format: DD/MM/YY or DD/MM/YYYY

5.2 Your environmental impact

Please consider the environmental impact indicators you want your project to contribute to.

Impact indicators refer to the ultimate environment goal your project wants to influence. Every project should be able to choose a relevant impact indicator, even if it is not working on the issue directly (ie awareness raising projects). To help you define indicators we have developed a list of indicators under the headings above for you to choose from, or to help you develop your own.

Please list as few environmental indicators as possible. Selecting or describing just one is fine.

Please note that while we want you to state which indicator(s) is relevant we will not expect you to measure this indicator, just reflect on it at the end of the project.

We understand that measuring can be difficult and expensive, and that change can take a long time to achieve.

Will your project focus on preserving, protecting or regenerating any specific habitats? Please tick as many as apply

Land: Forest and woodlandLand: Mountain regionsLand: Agricultural landLand: Scrub jungleLand: OtherWetland habitatsFreshwater habitatsMarine: InshoreMarine: SeasMarine: OtherNo

You selected 'Land: Other' from the list, please tell us more about your project's focus

You selected 'Marine: Other' from the list, please tell us more about your project's focus

Will your project focus on reducing greenhouse emissions?

YesNo

Will the project focus on any specific species?

YesNo

Please tell us which species

Please add a more detailed description of your project's environmental focus if you would like to

As your project will focus on preserving, protecting or regenerating land habitats, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Forest area as a proportion of total land areaProportion of protected areas (% of territorial area)Proportion of important sites for biodiversity that are protectedGreen Cover Index (% of green coverage over the total surface of an area)Crop yield gap (as yield as % of attainable yield)Annual change in forest area and land under cultivationSoil quality (including soil respiration, infiltration, bulk density, pH, nitrate, and number of earthworms)Fewer species threatened and/or extinctA specific native species helped to thrive.Red List Index (RLI) - which tracks the overall extinction risk of species by threatNumber of invasive non-native species established in territorial areas

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

You told us that your project will focus on preserving, protecting or regenerating wetland habitats.

Please use this space to define your own indicator

As your project will focus on preserving, protecting or regenerating freshwater habitats, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem typeNumber of invasive non-native species established in freshwater areasLevel of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resourcesHousehold water consumption (litres)Company water consumption (litres)Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treatedProportion of bodies of freshwater with good water quality based on the UN level 1 water quality index (oxygen, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorous, pH status)Increased proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels (MSY)Fewer marine species (mangroves, fisheries, etc) threatened and/or extinctA specific native species helped to thriveImproved freshwater quality (via sampling of water, sediment and biota)

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on preserving, protecting or regenerating marine habitats, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Reduced floating plastic debris densityReduced coastal eutrophicationImproved coastal water quality (via sampling of water, sediment and biota)Fewer coastal areas lost to coastal erosion (due to artificial works or other causes)Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stationsPreservation, protection, regeneration of a specific habitatPreservation, protection, regeneration of coralPreservation, protection, regeneration of sea grassIncreased proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels (MSY)Fewer marine species (mangroves, fisheries, etc) threatened and/or extinctA specific native species helped to thrive.

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Reductions in atmospheric CO2Reduction in other greenhouse gasesReduction in other airborne pollutants

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

You told us that your project will focus on a particular species.

Please use this space to define your own indicator

5.3 Your social, cultural, and economic outcomes

'Outcomes' refer to the social, cultural and economic changes that you think will contribute to the environmental impact of your work. Essentially, outcomes describe something different that we want humans to do which could in turn lead to positive change in the environment, driving the environmental impacts listed previously.

All projects will have outcomes, and they may have several. Even projects that are aiming to have direct environmental impact are likely to have an outcome that relates to human motivations or behaviours. For example, a project to clear an area of plastics will also aim to raise awareness of this work and the harm done by plastics (to reduce the future need for clearing). Indeed, most projects will only achieve impacts through outcomes.

To help you we have developed a list of outcomes for you to choose from, or to help you develop your own.

Please note that while we want you to state which are relevant we will not expect you to measure this, but just to reflect on it at the end of the project. We understand that measurement is difficult and expensive and that change takes a long time to achieve.

On which of the following outcomes your project broadly focus on? Please tick as many as apply

Encouraging people to have a greater appreciation of the natural world and its valueEncouraging governments, public institutions and media to act in ways that support the natural worldSupporting businesses and their employees to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural worldEncouraging changes in public/consumer behaviour to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural worldReduced waste/better waste managementIncreased use of low carbon technology and energyOther

Which businesses? Please tick as many as apply

Agriculture and foodFisheriesTourismOther businesses

You selected 'Other industries' from the industries list please tell us which type:

You selected 'Other' from the outcomes list please tell us more:

As your project will focus on encouraging people to have a greater appreciation of the natural world and its value, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Increased belief in the potential to change economic norms and incentives to shift to more environmentally sustainable production and consumption patterns
Increased consumer pressure on businesses to act sustainablyIncreased public awareness/understanding of a specific environmental issue (for example invasive species, plastics, biodiversity)Increased number of people visiting/enjoying natural environmentsIncreased proportion of people who say that “protecting the environment is important to them personally”Increased proportion of people who say they are ‘concerned about the state of nature today’Increased proportion of people saying that the environment/natural world is one of the most important issues facing their area/country

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on encouraging governments, public institutions and media to act in ways that support the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Extent to which local politicians/officials discuss environmental issuesAchieving the formulation of an existing legislation or helping establish new laws for the conservation of the environment and the promotion of NBSIncreased proportion of national economic zones exclusively managed using ecosystem based approachesIncreased % of protected marine areas with management strategies in place (as defined by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development - CSD)Establishment of new Marine Protected AreasProportion of local administrative units with operational policies and procedures established for local community participation in water and sanitation managementNumber of schools whereby education for sustainable development is mainstreamed into curricula, education and assessmentIncreased levels of coverage of environmental issues in local media

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on supporting agriculture and food businesses and their employees to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Number of people making a living from sustainable agricultureIncreased take up of regenerative/sustainable farming methodsProportion of farms using pesticides and insecticidesFood Loss Index (FLI) as a measure of food losses that occur from production up to (and not including) retail levelSustainable forestry Crop yield gap (yield as % of attainable yield)% of land destined to sustainable farming practices% of local produce produced sustainably

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on supporting fisheries businesses and their employees to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Number of people making a living from sustainable marine resourcesPercentage of fish tonnage landed within Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)Sustainable fisheries as a percentage of total fishing industryIncreased sale of edible invasive alien species on the market/in restaurants

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on supporting tourism businesses and their employees to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Increased number/proportion of tourism businesses with environmental sustainability as part of their identitiesIncreased number/proportion of tourism businesses integrating environmentally sustainable practices into their activitiesIncreased employment in environmentally sustainable tourism businessesReduced human pressures on areas of natural beauty and marine environments

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on supporting other businesses and their employees to better preserve, protect and regenerate the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant? Please tick as many as apply

Increased availability of local food/produce to local shoppersEnvironmentally conscious businesses are profitable/financially sustainableReduced company water consumption (litres)

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on encouraging changes in public/consumer behaviour to better preserve, protect, and regenerate the natural world, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Increased household recyclingIncreased consumption and/or use of local food/produceIncreased consumption and/or use of sustainably sourced productsReduced plastic useReduced household water consumption (litres)Reduced carbon travelReduced consumption and/or use of animal productsReduced consumption and/or use of vulnerable species in particularReduced household waste

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on reduced waste/better waste management, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Waste management in new buildings/infrastructure/modifications reflects environmental concernsWaste management problems identified and resolved (i.e. reduced waste water discharge into the sea)Increased proportion of domestic and/or industrial wastewater flows safely treatedReduced use of harmful plastics in business sector/supply chain/schoolMore biodegradable waste sent to landfillReduced production of domestic and/or industrial wasteIncreased proportion of domestic and/or industrial waste re-used/recycled

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

As your project will focus on the increased use of low carbon technology and energy, which of these indicators might be relevant to measure this? Please tick as many as apply

Increased amount of carbon sequesteredIncreased installation of solar panellingIncreased installation of sustainable heating, (i.e. biomass, ground/air source & shared systems) Increased production of renewable energyIncreased installation of electric vehicle charging pointsRenewable energy share in the total final energy consumptionMaterial footprint (sum of biomass, fossil fuels, metal ores and non-metal ores)Reduced drilling and exploration of oil and gasReduction in energy related poverty (due to increased access to renewables)

Please use this space to define your own indicator if none of the above are applicable

You told us that your project will focus on other outcomes.

Please use this space to define your own indicator

6. Have you considered the potential risks?

6.1 Please describe any risks or uncertainties that might affect your project and how you will try to mitigate these. (Max 500 words)

6.2 Could your project lead to any unintended negative consequences? Have you thought about any negative effects on the local environment that could be caused during the implementation of your project and what mitigation you could put in place to avoid it? (Max 500 words)

7. Your budget

Fields below are used to calculate totals, if the field is not applicable please leave as the defaulted 0

Staff Costs/Personnel

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Overheads

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Equipment

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Travel Expenses

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Third Party Fees

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Other

Description (budget heading)

Amount requested for this grant

Amount being met by other sources

Total

Budget requested for grant

This field is a calculation

Budget being met by other sources

This field is a calculation

Total Budget

This field is calculated by the values entered above

Please upload and attach your full budget below, preferably in Excel Format. Your budget should include more information (narrative/explanation) on the necessary costs for a successful project implementation and a more detailed amount breakdown. Please also provide (if relevant) further co-funding (amount from other sources) specifics, such as budget items, amounts, sources/potential sources, funding status (applied, approved, future fundraising effort) etc.

8. Additional information

8.1 If your application is successful, could HIEF help you in any other ways (i.e. non-financial, networking, introductions etc.) to achieve your project objectives? (Max 500 words)

8.2 Please upload or add links to any documents that support your application (i.e. justification of problem, evidence for your research/proposal etc.) Please note, this is optional and that any significant information found on these documents should be included within your application in the sections above.

9. Declaration

Please confirm the following:

I confirm that all the information in this application is correct and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I agree that you can check the information in it and any supporting documents with other people and organisations if required.
My organisation has the power to accept a grant, under your terms, and the power to pay back the grant if the terms are not being met.
I understand that any misleading statements (whether deliberate or accidental) I give at any point during the application process, or any information I knowingly withhold, could mean my organisation’s application is not valid, in which case you will cancel the grant and claim back the money we have received, stop assessing and return the application, or withdraw any grant you offered my organisation.
I am authorised to put forward this application on behalf of my organisation.
On behalf of my organisation, I agree that if we receive any grant from you for our project, we will keep to the standard terms of the grant and any further terms and conditions set out in the grant notification letter.

I confirm I have read, understood and comply with statements above.

Full Name

Email

Date

Format: DD/MM/YY or DD/MM/YYYY

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