Restoration Returns grants

The Restoration Returns Grant is a funding initiative launched under the G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI), coordinated by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The G20 GLI was created during the Saudi Arabian presidency of the G20 and aims to reduce global land degradation by 50 percent by 2040. As part of this mission, the Restoration Returns Grant supports community-driven ecosystem restoration projects worldwide. It is designed to encourage civil society organizations to implement high-impact land restoration efforts that benefit both the environment and local communities. The Initiative also contributes to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by promoting sustainable land use and environmental stewardship through grassroots efforts. The grant program is open to organizations globally, with a particular focus on civil society groups operating in developing and least developed countries. This broad eligibility allows for diverse applications across continents, ecosystems, and community needs. The types of ecosystems eligible for restoration under this grant include forests, grasslands, drylands, rangelands, croplands, peatlands, mangroves, tundra, and wetlands. Eligible restoration activities include reforestation, afforestation, sustainable agriculture, waste management, remediation of contaminated land, peatland rewetting, and improvements in soil health. Projects that integrate new technologies, expand existing restoration work, or provide technical assistance and capacity building are all considered appropriate uses for the funds. To apply, organizations must be legally registered non-profits with an annual budget exceeding USD 25,000. They must also be accredited with the UNCCD or have applied for accreditation prior to submitting the grant application. The Restoration Returns Grant is not available to individuals. While both new and ongoing projects are eligible, preference is given to projects that are already operational and have demonstrated progress. Multi-year support may be provided if project implementation shows positive outcomes over time. The grant aims to support scaling efforts and will not fund stand-alone initiatives that depend entirely on this grant for execution. Each grant award will provide up to USD 17,000. In the inaugural 2024 cycle, 39 projects from over 100 countries received grants ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000, with total disbursed funds amounting to USD 395,000. Due to high demand and the innovative nature of submissions, the award ceiling was increased for the current round. The total funding available for the 2025 cycle has not been disclosed. Grant funds may be used for specific activities such as land preparation, purchasing seedlings, training, monitoring, and community engagement. A detailed budget and narrative for proposed expenditures must be included in the application. Applications opened on July 15, 2025, and will close on September 15, 2025. Interested applicants must complete an online application form that includes organizational information, project objectives, environmental benefits, community involvement, restoration techniques, risk management strategies, and sustainability plans. Required supporting documents include the organization’s registration, budget breakdowns, letters of request, UNCCD accreditation, maps, photos, and optional endorsements or scientific data. The application process is estimated to take several hours to complete, given the depth of narrative and supporting documentation required. For support with the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact mrother@unccd.int. Further information and the application form are available online at https://grih.info/grant-application-form/. To stay informed about updates, applicants may also subscribe to the G20 GLI newsletter via https://g20land.org/newsletter/. The grant is recurring annually, with expectations that it will reopen in mid-2026 for the next funding cycle. All awarded projects will contribute to the G20 GLI's broader ambition of restoring one billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.