When you spend time with people living closest to forests, rivers, coastlines, or mangroves, one thing becomes clear: the most powerful solutions for biodiversity and climate resilience come from the frontline communities.

Generations of indigenous knowledge and lived experience have safeguarded ecosystems, sustained life, and inspired new ways of caring for our shared planet. Communities bring brilliance, courage, and leadership — yet what often stands in the way are the barriers: access to resources, recognition, and support.

That’s where the idea for the Green Spark Fund was born.

What the Green Spark Fund is about

We wanted to create something simple yet meaningful — flexible, trust-based support that emphasizes partnership and dialogue over compliance. This isn’t about long-term aid or imposing solutions from the outside. It’s about removing barriers, backing local priorities, and offering mentoring and check-ins that feel more like accompaniment than oversight.

Here’s what the fund offers:
💡 Small but meaningful grants of up to £1,500
🤝 Light-touch mentoring and regular check-ins
🌍 Open to grassroots groups in Zimbabwe, Borneo, Nepal, the Philippines, and Kenya

Who can apply

For this first round, we’re opening the call to our partners around the globe — Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI), Bighnaharta Nepal, Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Rosa Organisation, Oceanus Conservation, and The Hummingbird Initiative.

These partners can also apply on behalf of groups and communities they already work closely with, making access easier while ensuring guidance and accountability.

Why this matters

This is at the heart of CfN’s work: connecting people, sparking ideas, and walking alongside communities so conservation grows from the inside out. 🌿

And we’re only just getting started. We can’t wait to see what blooms when hope meets support — and we’d love for you to follow along as our partners and their communities bring their visions to life. ✨

The first grantees will be announced this October, so stay tuned! 📣

If this vision resonates with you — whether you’re a funder, ally, or organisation that believes in the power of grassroots leadership — let’s connect. 💚 Together, we can ignite community-led solutions for people and planet.

🌍 #CommunitiesForNature #GreenSparkFund #FuelForGrassrootsInitiatives #CommunityLedConservation #ClimateAction #GrassrootsLeadership #BiodiversityConservation #Sustainability