Maelezo

International Union for Conservation of Nature Netherlands (IUCN NL) is now accepting proposals from local conservation NGOs and CSOs to conserve threatened nature, create safe reserves, and connect habitats for endangered species worldwide.

About the Land Acquisition Fund

Since 2001, the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) has enabled nature organisations around the world to purchase or, in exceptional cases, lease endangered natural habitats for long-term conservation. Over 25 years, the Fund has supported more than 135 projects across 39 countries, protecting approximately 70,000 hectares of nature in collaboration with local partner organisations.

The Fund is supported by the Nationale Postcode Loterij, Sub3 Foundation, Stichting Nieuwe Waarde, IMS Foundation, ForestPeace Foundation (part of Fred Foundation), and a growing number of private donors.

One million plant and animal species face the threat of extinction worldwide, with habitat loss and fragmentation as the leading cause. By purchasing land in strategic locations, the Fund safeguards key areas and reconnects isolated pieces of habitat through corridors that keep migration routes intact and populations healthy.

What the Fund Supports

Eligible projects must address at least one of the following:

• Securing areas hosting species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
• Protecting high biodiversity sites such as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Important Bird Areas (IBAs), or Alliance for Zero Extinction sites
• Maintaining landscape-level connectivity through corridors and stepping stones
• Implementing Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

Funding Details

• Grant range: USD 20,001 to USD 150,000 per project (up to EUR 100,000)
• Funds primarily cover land purchase or long-term lease
• Up to 30% of the budget can support initial sustainability investments such as fencing, signage, or guards’ salaries

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include locally registered non-profit NGOs or CSOs based in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Pacific. Applicants must also:

• Have a bank account in the name of the organization in the country of operation
• Demonstrate proven experience in managing conservation areas and solid financial management capacity
• Show local stakeholder participation and community benefit in their proposal
• Provide good maps of the area as part of the application

Not eligible: Private individuals, commercial (for-profit) organizations, governmental institutions, or projects focused solely on education, rescue centers, or sustainable agriculture.

Long-term Conservation Approach

A key principle of the Fund is that ownership and responsibility for purchased nature reserves are placed in the hands of local nature organisations. These organisations are familiar with the local context and maintain close contact with local communities, ensuring the long-term conservation of species and habitats alongside benefits for the people who depend on those natural areas.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted in English or Dutch. The pre-proposal format and criteria and guidelines for 2026 are available on the IUCN NL website.

• Fund page: www.iucn.nl/en/project/land-acquisition-fund/
• Criteria and guidelines 2026: available on the IUCN NL website
• Pre-proposal format 2026: available on the IUCN NL website