Third round of FIRNS announced

The Scottish Government and NatureScot, working in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, are launching the third round of Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS), the programme of support to help scale up private investment in Scotland’s natural capital.

Building on experience and learning from FIRNS Round 1 and 2, this round of FIRNS will prioritise projects that demonstrate the greatest momentum and potential for delivering meaningful impact in support of the aims of the Natural Capital Market Framework. You can find out more about the programme on the NatureScot website. 

NatureScot Director of Green Economy, Robbie Kernahan said: 

"The FIRNS programme is helping to establish a strong pipeline of investible nature-based projects that Scotland needs to reach its ambitious biodiversity and climate targets. With the direction set by Scotland’s Natural Capital Framework, nature outcomes, community interests, credibility and attractive investments remain at the heart of FIRNS projects, and we're looking forward to hearing from interested groups about their proposals."

NatureScot will be hosting a webinar on the 17 February to provide more details on this round of funding. The event is open to all groups and organisations (private, public and community based) that are interested in developing eligible projects. These could aim to utilise private finance to restore nature or develop new market infrastructure such as codes, standards and aggregating mechanisms. 

The launch event will provide the opportunity to learn more about FIRNS, hear about the changes to the programme and what the funding partners hope to achieve over the next year. There will also be a Q&A session to answer any questions. If you would like to send a question in advance, please send it to FIRNS@nature.scot.

This round of FIRNS will offer grants of up to £240,000 for organisations and partnerships to help develop a viable business case and financial model, to attract investment in natural capital restoration projects and natural capital. Successful projects will also explore and demonstrate the means to co-create projects and to share benefits with community interests, contributing to a just transition.

Applications are open now until 14 March and you can find more information on NatureScot’s dedicated FIRNS page. 

To attend the launch event, please register here: Registration Link. 

If you have any questions about the fund or would like to discuss a project idea, please email FIRNS@nature.scot who welcome the chance to speak with and advise potential projects.

Photo credit A Roberston