Deadline:1st May, 2026.
The IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund calls on local conservation NGOs and CSOs worldwide to submit proposals to acquire threatened nature, create safe reserves, and connect habitats for endangered species. The fund supports land purchase, long-term lease of land, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific region.
The Land Acquisition Fund enables local nature organisations around the globe to secure important wildlife habitat by purchasing or long-term land leasing. By protecting, expanding, and connecting the habitat of endangered and vulnerable species, these species have a second chance. Since its foundation in 2001, the fund has enabled the safeguarding of over 320,000 hectares of threatened nature.
Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund, explains why this is important – especially now. ‘Because of the 30×30 target of the International Biodiversity Convention, many donors focus on protecting large areas. But we should not overlook the smaller projects, which often have a huge impact at crucial locations, on the frontline of conservation. In addition, funding reforestation projects is currently popular, while preserving existing forests is the important first step.
Grant
LAF grants amount to a maximum of 100 ,000 euro per project . Co -funding is permitted where the impact of the IUCN NL grant is clearly demonstrated and represents a substantial portion of the total project budget, or where the IUCN NL contribution is expected to leverage additional funding from other donors.
In addition to land acquisition, LAF grants may also support initial investments required to ensure the sustainability and conservation impact of the purchase (e.g. fencing, signage, guards’ salaries , and accommodation). Please note that such investments may not exceed 30% of the requested budget.
Main criteria for proposals
The general objective of a proposed project must be in line with the main objective of the Land Acquisition Fund: providing funds to local NGOs and CSOs to acquire threatened nature, create reserves, and connect habitats for vulnerable and/or endangered species. Potentially successful proposals contribute directly to tangible conservation outcomes and include local participation in the conservation and management of the area.
In order to be eligible for LAF grants the applicant must:
- be locally registered as a non-profit organisation, non-governmental organisation (NGOs) or civil society organisation (CSOs) in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Pacific;
- be directly responsible for the preparation and implementation of the grant project;
- have a bank account in the name of the organisation and in the place where the organisation is established or where the project is carried out; and
- have proven experience and capacity in managing conservation areas, including project management, financial management, and financial control.
LAF cannot grant financial assistance to:
- private individuals;
- commercial (for profit) organisations;
- governmental institutions; and
- projects or organisations with a primary focus on sustainable agricultural systems, education, rescue, or rehabilitation centres.
The Land Acquisition Fund does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the review process and expects applicants to develop their proposals without AI assistance. If you do choose to use AI, please disclose how and why it was used in your proposal.
Project area
High priority will be given to land acquisition (through purchase or lease) and to the implementation of OECMs to:
• Secure areas that host species listed as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), or Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List;
• Secure areas of high biodiversity value, including sites located within Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Important Bird Areas (IBAs), or Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites;
• Secure areas that play a critical role in maintaining landscape -level connectivity in high – biodiversity regions (e.g. corridors or stepping -stone habitats) , or in safeguarding ecosystem services;
• Secure ecosystems that are underrepresented within the public protected -areas system;
• Secure significant populations of threatened plant and tree species. Proposals should preferably focus on the protection of range
IV. Geographical range Local conservation NGOs and CSOs operating in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific are eligible for this programme and are invited to submit proposals.
V. Local participation The project should seek to harmonise with the needs, views, expertise , and experience of local stakeholders , including attention to the role of women , youth , and marginali sed groups . L ocal participation in conservation and management of the area should be central to the proposal .
Application process
I. Pre -proposal Applica tions must be submitted using the LAF pre-proposal format available on this web page . Only pre – proposals prepared according to this format , and not exceeding 4 pages (excluding annexes) , will be considered. Pre -proposals can be submitted in English , which is the preferred language, or in Spanish .
II. Deadline & submission The deadline for applications (pre -proposals) is the 1 st of May , 202 6. All applications must be submitted in a .docx format and must be sent to [email protected] before the deadline. Questions about the procedure and content of proposals can be sent to the LAF team ([email protected] ) and/or directly to the coordinator ([email protected] ).
For more information.