Our grant program offers long-term, dependable baseline funding for selected, globally recognized biodiversity hotspots – our “legacy landscapes”.
We award grants to experienced, trusted conservation NGOs to ensure that the world’s most precious natural landscapes are preserved for generations to come.
Our flexible funding model supports the effective management of these landscapes now and for the future.
LLF’s unique strength lies in its ability to source significant long-term financing by blending public and private donor funds. Grant funding of one million USD per year is awarded to each legacy landscape in the form of either a:
Perpetual Grant
A guaranteed sum of USD one million annually for as long as possible (currently estimated at 50+ years)
or
Sustaining grant
A guaranteed sum of USD one million annually for 15 years
Our grants are provided in strict accordance with our social and environmental safeguards system, which includes the needs and human rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Active involvement of the local population, including the establishment of transparent and culturally appropriate grievance mechanisms, is a mandatory requirement for funding.
For more information on applications or grant implementation, please see our For Grantees & Applicants page.
What We Fund
Legacy landscapes programs
Legacy landscapes are ecologically intact terrestrial protected areas and their buffer zones which also:
- Preserve the ecological functions of the protected area and buffer zone while respecting the needs and human rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Promote good governance, effective public institutions, and trustful cooperation with local communities (e.g. via participation or grievance mechanisms)
Read more on our Legacy Landscapes page.
Core requirements for selected protected areas
- Contiguous area of at least 2,000 km² (200,000 ha)
- At least 1,000 km² (100,000 ha) must be classified as IUCN Category I/II or equivalent protected area(s)
- The remaining area of the legacy landscape (if any) must have some other recognized and legally secured protection status (e.g. another IUCN category, a community-management conservation area, etc.)
- Be in a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) at the time the grant is awarded.
Core requirements for grantees
LLF grantees are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a strong local foothold and with proven credentials in the following areas:
- Track record of impactful conservation work at scale
- Experience in implementing large grants, including sufficient financial and administrative systems
- A legal base to work in the country and the legacy landscape (MoU or other) and a proven track record of conservation work in the region
- Familiarity and established trustful relations with relevant government agencies, local communities, grassroots organizations, and local stakeholder groups
- Adherence to LLF’s social and environmental safeguards system
- The ability to secure private match funding
Applications from consortia, specifically those including local community, grassroots, and Indigenous organizations, are strongly encouraged.
How to Apply
Calls for applications are currently closed. Please check our site regularly for information on any future calls.
Information on eligibility and the application process can be found on our Open Calls for Proposals page.
Explore some legacy landscapes
