Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.

At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.

Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.

Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.

At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.

Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.

Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.

At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.

Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.

Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.

At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.

Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.

Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Defra’s Darwin Plus programme has invested more than £64 million across nearly 400 environmental projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories since 2012. These include projects to increase the Territories’ resilience by responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change and its effects on the natural environment and local communities.

An independent evaluation in 2022 found that Darwin Plus projects have reduced key threats to the Territories’ natural environments, including climate change. An impact analysis of Darwin Plus projects in 2025 has since estimated that Darwin Plus projects have:

• Improved the climate and disaster resilience of almost 10,000 people since 2022 alone; and
• Brought over 46 million hectares of land and sea under ecological management since 2013.

Project applicants for Darwin Plus Local Round 6, which closed on 29 December, will be kept informed of developments. Updates on further future funding rounds will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

Defra’s Darwin Plus programme has invested more than £64 million across nearly 400 environmental projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories since 2012. These include projects to increase the Territories’ resilience by responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change and its effects on the natural environment and local communities.

An independent evaluation in 2022 found that Darwin Plus projects have reduced key threats to the Territories’ natural environments, including climate change. An impact analysis of Darwin Plus projects in 2025 has since estimated that Darwin Plus projects have:

• Improved the climate and disaster resilience of almost 10,000 people since 2022 alone; and
• Brought over 46 million hectares of land and sea under ecological management since 2013.

Project applicants for Darwin Plus Local Round 6, which closed on 29 December, will be kept informed of developments. Updates on further future funding rounds will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

Defra’s Darwin Plus programme has invested more than £64 million across nearly 400 environmental projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories since 2012. These include projects to increase the Territories’ resilience by responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change and its effects on the natural environment and local communities.

An independent evaluation in 2022 found that Darwin Plus projects have reduced key threats to the Territories’ natural environments, including climate change. An impact analysis of Darwin Plus projects in 2025 has since estimated that Darwin Plus projects have:

• Improved the climate and disaster resilience of almost 10,000 people since 2022 alone; and
• Brought over 46 million hectares of land and sea under ecological management since 2013.

Project applicants for Darwin Plus Local Round 6, which closed on 29 December, will be kept informed of developments. Updates on further future funding rounds will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

The Darwin Plus budget for 2025-26 is maintaining spending levels to support biodiversity across the UK Overseas Territories. This includes funding to sustain existing projects and award new projects. The Secretary of State announced funding to 43 new Darwin Plus projects with a lifetime value of £7.9 million in her speech at Countdown to COP30 on 9 October.

Funding for Darwin Plus beyond March 2026 remains subject to Defra business planning processes. Updates on future funding rounds will be published on the Darwin Plus website as soon as more information becomes available.

Darwin Plus remains a funding programme that continues to improve outcomes for the unique biodiversity and environmental heritage of the UK Overseas Territories and we note the strong support for that continuation.

Defra has confirmed funding for the continuation of existing projects throughout 2025/2026 and to support additional projects beginning this year. We have contacted all applicants shortlisted from our most recent funding rounds to discuss commencement of their individual project proposals and details of those successful projects will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

Darwin Plus remains a funding programme that continues to improve outcomes for the unique biodiversity and environmental heritage of the UK Overseas Territories and we note the strong support for that continuation.

Defra has confirmed funding for the continuation of existing projects throughout 2025/2026 and to support additional projects beginning this year. We have contacted all applicants shortlisted from our most recent funding rounds to discuss commencement of their individual project proposals and details of those successful projects will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

Defra is now working with Darwin Plus applicants to confirm and award new project grants under the programme. Applicants have been advised to expect updates over the summer. Updates will also be made available on the Darwin Plus website.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus.

As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible.

The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus.

As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible.

The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus.

As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible.

The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

Defra is continuing to support the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. This includes bringing the new biodiversity strategy to publication thereby improving the reach and effectiveness of not just the programme but also wider efforts to improve and protect biodiversity across the territories.

Following the Spending Review, the department has secured a multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury. Whilst decisions have yet to be made in respect of the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus, the department will continue to engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and to support continuity wherever possible.

The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

The UK Government recognises the strong support from the Overseas Territories for the continuation of Darwin Plus.

We will shortly be finalising our plans to fund successful 2025/26 project proposals. For projects extending beyond that, we will update applicants following the completion of the multiyear spending review and internal business planning and publish this on the Darwin Plus website.

For 2024-25, Official Development Assistance accounts for 30% of the programme.