International Eco Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£287,000 (2024/25)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: International - primarily Indonesia (Sumatra) and West Africa (Sierra Leone/Liberia)

Contact Details

• Address: C/o RSPB, The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy, SG19 2DL
• Phone: 01767 680551
• Email: legal@rspb.org.uk
• Website: No dedicated website (administered by RSPB)

Overview

The International Eco Fund is an independent registered charity originally established as a trust in 2006 (charity number 1115374) and restructured as a charitable company in 2022 (charity number 1198988, company number 14003152). The charity was created to help fund the ongoing costs of major international rainforest conservation projects, specifically the Harapan rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia, and the Gola rainforest spanning Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The Fund operates as an endowment, with original funding from the RSPB and Conservation International's Global Conservation Fund. The RSPB appoints a trustee and provides financial management and administrative support. In January 2024, assets from the original charity (1115374) were transferred to the new charitable company structure. The charity's mission is to promote conservation of natural habitats, advance conservation of wild birds and wildlife, and educate the public about environmental conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The International Eco Fund's primary method of carrying out its purposes is grant-making to organisations. The Fund supports:

• Harapan Rainforest Project (Indonesia): A 100,000-hectare Ecosystem Restoration Concession in Sumatra, home to Critically Endangered species including Sumatran Tigers, Sumatran Elephants, and Helmeted Hornbills
• Gola Rainforest Project (West Africa): A 75,000-hectare biodiversity hotspot home to Pygmy Hippos, Forest Elephants, Chimpanzees, Pangolins, and over 330 bird species

Priority Areas

• Conservation and protection of natural habitats
• Conservation of wild birds and other wildlife
• Environmental education
• Ecosystem restoration
• Community development programmes supporting conservation
• Wildlife protection and forest patrols
• Training and capacity building for local researchers

What They Don't Fund

• The Fund does not accept unsolicited applications
• Grants are not available for general conservation projects outside their strategic focus areas
• The Fund does not support projects unconnected to their existing partnerships

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Governance and Leadership

Directors/Trustees

The charity is governed by 6 directors:

1. Dr Tim Stowe (appointed 25 March 2022) - Director of International Operations at RSPB. Dr Stowe has extensive experience in international conservation, including major projects such as the Henderson Island rat eradication and Spoon-billed Sandpiper conservation. He has described conservation voyages as “a huge milestone” given the high costs and logistical complexities of remote conservation work.

1. Richard Grimmett (appointed 7 February 2024) - Senior Conservation Adviser at BirdLife International with over 40 years' experience. Former Director of Conservation at BirdLife, he has overseen programmes for species, flyways, forests, marine and invasive species conservation. He was in charge of BirdLife's Asia Programme based in Indonesia and Japan between 1997-2007.

1. Russell Hollinshead (appointed 25 March 2022) - Director of Finance and Governance at RSPB

1. Nicholas John Prentice (appointed 25 March 2022)

1. Kalwant Singh Grewal (appointed 8 October 2025) - Senior leadership figure with extensive experience as Non-Executive Director and Committee Chair across diverse sectors

1. Ann Mathers (appointed 12 October 2022, resigned 3 October 2025)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The International Eco Fund operates as an endowment fund supporting specific, strategic conservation projects through its partnership with the RSPB and BirdLife International network. Grants are made to organisations already working within the Harapan and Gola rainforest conservation programmes.

The Fund operates through established partnerships with:

• RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)
• BirdLife International
• Burung Indonesia (BirdLife Partner in Indonesia)
• Conservation Society of Sierra Leone
• Gola Rainforest Conservation LG

Getting on Their Radar

Given the Fund's specific focus and partnership-based model:

• Work with BirdLife Partners: The Fund operates within the BirdLife International network. Organisations active in Indonesia or West Africa may engage with Burung Indonesia or relevant African BirdLife partners
• Engage with RSPB International: The RSPB's International Operations team manages relationships with partners in the Harapan and Gola projects
• Focus on existing project areas: Opportunities are most likely for organisations already working within the Harapan (Sumatra) or Gola (Sierra Leone/Liberia) rainforest landscapes

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the Fund does not operate a standard application cycle

Success Rates

Not applicable

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable

Application Success Factors

The International Eco Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. However, understanding their priorities may help organisations seeking to work within their sphere:

• Established track record: The Fund works with established conservation partners with proven capacity in the target regions
• Alignment with strategic priorities: Focus must be on the Harapan or Gola rainforest ecosystems
• Local capacity building: The RSPB emphasises that “building local capacity is central to their work” - training local researchers is prioritised
• Community engagement: Projects supporting continuing community development programmes alongside conservation are valued
• Long-term sustainability: The Fund was established specifically to meet ongoing management costs, indicating preference for sustainable, long-term approaches

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This is an invitation-only, partnership-based fund - unsolicited applications are not accepted
• Strategic focus: Funding is restricted to the Harapan (Indonesia) and Gola (West Africa) rainforest conservation programmes
• RSPB connection: The Fund is closely connected to and administered by the RSPB - engagement should be through RSPB International or BirdLife Partners
• Endowment model: The Fund operates as an endowment rather than a responsive grant-making body
• Partnership approach: Work with BirdLife Partners in Indonesia (Burung Indonesia) or West Africa to become part of these conservation programmes
• Long-term commitment: The Fund supports ongoing operational costs rather than one-off projects

References

• Charity Commission - International Eco Fund (1198988) -
• Charity Commission - International Eco Fund (1115374) -
• Companies House - International Eco Fund Officers -
• The RSPB Group -
• RSPB - Hutan Harapan -
• RSPB - Gola Rainforest -
• Cambridge Conservation Initiative - Dr Tim Stowe -
• Conservation Careers - Richard Grimmett Interview -