Deadline: September 15, 2025
The Call for Applications for the Restoration Returns Grants 2025 is officially open! The G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI) invites community-based organisations from around the world to apply for this funding opportunity to scale up ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts. With a renewed commitment to restoring 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, this grant is designed to empower grassroots actors creating tangible, lasting impact.
Read on to discover full details about the grant, eligibility, funding scope, and how to apply.
About the Restoration Returns Grants
The Restoration Returns Grants 2025 (previously the Small Grants Award) is an annual funding mechanism launched by the G20 Global Land Initiative. The programme aims to directly support civil society organisations working on land restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use practices—especially in the Global South.
This year’s grant round offers increased funding and a sharper focus on scaling existing projects with community leadership at the heart of implementation.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 15 July 2025
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2025
Grant Amount & Scope
Successful applicants can receive up to USD 17,000 per project. This funding is flexible and can be used for a wide range of activities that strengthen and scale existing ecosystem restoration work.
Eligible Activities Include:
- Expanding existing restoration interventions
- Testing and applying new restoration techniques or tools
- Capacity-building and community training
- Providing technical assistance
- Documenting results and sharing learning
- Amplifying community-led impacts on land restoration
Who Can Apply?
The grant is open to civil society organisations worldwide, including NGOs, Indigenous Peoples groups, and grassroots alliances working on land restoration.
Priority is given to organisations that:
- Are UNCCD-accredited (or in the process of accreditation)
- Operate in developing or least-developed countries
- Have a minimum annual organisational budget of USD 25,000
- Are scaling existing work, rather than launching new standalone initiatives
Organisations from any ecosystem context are eligible, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, cropland, peatlands, mangroves, rangelands, drylands, and even urban areas.
Why Apply?
In the 2024 grant cycle, the Restoration Returns Grants received over 673 applications from more than 100 countries, ultimately funding 39 projects across the globe. The expanded funding cap this year is a signal of GLI’s commitment to supporting high-impact, scalable initiatives.
With growing attention to land degradation and climate resilience, this is a rare and valuable chance for small organisations to secure international visibility and direct project support.
How to Apply
👉 Apply Now
👉 Read More About the Programme
Applicants should review eligibility criteria carefully and submit all required documentation before the 15 September 2025 deadline.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Name | Restoration Returns Grants 2025 |
| Grant Size | Up to USD 17,000 |
| Eligible Entities | Global civil society organisations |
| Priority | UNCCD-accredited, developing countries, Indigenous groups |
| Deadline | 15 September 2025 |
| Application Focus | Scaling existing community-led restoration efforts |
Final Thoughts
The Call for Applications for the Restoration Returns Grants 2025 offers more than just financial support—it’s an opportunity to join a global movement towards large-scale land restoration. If your organisation is ready to deepen its impact and scale restoration efforts, this could be the funding gateway you’ve been waiting for.
For assistance with proposal drafting, refining, or review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
