Rewilding Europe

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: €800,000 (European Wildlife Comeback Fund, 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Fast-track process (specific timeline not disclosed)
• Grant Range: €50,000 - €100,000+ (per translocation/project)
• Geographic Focus: Pan-European (all EU member states and beyond)

Contact Details

Website: https://rewildingeurope.com

Phone: +31 6 30543387

Email:

• General inquiries: info@rewildingeurope.com
• European Rewilding Network: ern@rewildingeurope.com

Address:

Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Pre-application support: Contact ern@rewildingeurope.com for European Rewilding Network membership inquiries

Overview

Rewilding Europe was formally established on 28 June 2011 as an independent, non-profit foundation (ANBI status) registered in the Netherlands. The organization has experienced remarkable growth, with consolidated income increasing from €16.3 million in 2023 to €20.3 million in 2024, representing a 25% increase. Co-founded by Frans Schepers, Staffan Widstrand, Neil Birnie, and Wouter Helmer, Rewilding Europe has become a leading initiative using an entrepreneurial approach to deliver practical rewilding at scale across Europe. The organization operates rewilding landscapes in nine different regions, including the Scottish Highlands. In 2024, they raised over €7.4 million for their Land Fund and received major grants from the Ecological Restoration Fund (£9 million), Dutch Postcode Lottery (€2.2 million), and The OAK Foundation ($1 million). Their strategic approach focuses on supporting the recovery of wilder nature, demonstrating economic potential, delivering effective communication strategies, and expanding rewilding efforts across Europe.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

European Wildlife Comeback Fund

• Amount: €50,000 per translocation (higher amounts considered if well justified)
• Total disbursed in 2024: €800,000 supporting 16 wildlife releases involving 15 species
• Application method: Rolling basis, fast-track application process
• Purpose: Scale up keystone species reintroduction and population reinforcement across Europe
• Fund size: €5 million budget for 2022-2026
• Access: Available to European Rewilding Network (ERN) members

Rewilding Europe Capital

• Amount: Up to €100,000 (ultimately scaling to €600,000)
• Type: Concessional loans and repayable grants
• Application method: Rolling basis - contact at any time
• Purpose: Support nature-based businesses in and around rewilding landscapes
• Track record: €2.4 million disbursed to 24 partners since 2014
• Target: 70 loans worth €5 million by 2030
• Backed by: European Investment Bank and Dutch Postcode Lottery

Rewilding Land Facility

• Purpose: Land acquisition grants for rewilding landscapes
• Examples: Grants enabling purchase of land containing important wildlife habitats
• Application method: Available to ERN members and rewilding landscape teams

Priority Areas

Wildlife Species:

• Large herbivores (European bison, Przewalski's horses, red deer)
• Carnivores (Eurasian lynx, Iberian lynx)
• Scavengers (cinereous vultures, griffon vultures)
• Other species (raptors, beavers, small mammals, insects including dung beetles)

Project Focus:

• Keystone species reintroductions following IUCN guidelines
• Wildlife translocations ready for immediate execution
• Nature-based businesses supporting rewilding
• Land acquisition for nature recovery
• River restoration and habitat connectivity

Strategic Areas (for ERN membership):

• Supporting recovery of wilder nature and natural processes
• Demonstrating economic potential of rewilding
• Delivering effective communication strategies
• Expanding and amplifying rewilding efforts across Europe

What They Don't Fund

Geographic restrictions:

• Businesses must be located in and around rewilding landscapes
• Priority given to projects within EU member states (though not exclusive)

Eligibility requirements:

• Wildlife Comeback Fund requires secured animal sources, landowner agreements, and completed legal permits/feasibility assessments
• Rewilding Europe Capital requires repayment mechanisms and demonstrated rewilding impact
• Projects must align with rewilding principles

Note: Rewilding Europe primarily supports members of the European Rewilding Network rather than operating as an open grant-making foundation. Network membership is typically a prerequisite for accessing funding opportunities.

Ready to write a winning application for Rewilding Europe?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Executive Board of Directors

Frans Schepers - Executive Director (since 28 June 2011)

• Co-founder with background in forestry, land and water management
• Previously responsible for major river restoration projects in the Netherlands
• Worked at WWF Netherlands 2000-2014, leading international conservation programmes
• Board member of Global Rewilding Alliance, Zambian Carnivore Programme, and Natura Africae
• Executive Producer of National Geographic's "Europe's New Wild"
• Quote: Under his leadership, Rewilding Europe has become “a frontrunner and leading initiative, using an entrepreneurial approach delivering practical rewilding at scale”

Jan Booij - Finance & Operations Director (since 27 January 2022)

Lisanne Holtjer - Director Engagement & Public Relations

Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board consists of five members, established in 2012. The board comprises experienced, highly skilled and forward-looking individuals from across Europe.

Recent/Current Members:

• Sabine Hoefnagel (joined 2021) - Global Director of Services, Brand and Communications at ERM, member of global Executive Committee, 25 years' experience in sustainability consulting
• Jan Derck van Karnebeek (Chair 2021-2023) - Former CEO at FrieslandCampina

Governance Enhancements:

• Audit Committee established December 2023 (operational 2024)
• Leadership Team restructured from former Management Team
• 2024: Spent 2% of total costs on fundraising and 17% on management and development

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For European Wildlife Comeback Fund:

• Actively reintroducing keystone species in European landscapes
• Secured source of animals
• Agreement of landowner/manager for releases
• Completed all legal requirements (permits and feasibility assessments)
• Project follows IUCN guidelines

For Rewilding Europe Capital:

• Rewilding impact delivery
• Repayment mechanism in place or under development
• Location in or around rewilding landscapes
• Alignment with rewilding principles

For European Rewilding Network Membership:

1. Contact: ern@rewildingeurope.com
2. Must be committed to long-term rewilding initiatives
3. Should contribute to one or more of four strategic areas
4. Especially welcome: applicants from underrepresented countries and sectors

Decision Timeline

The European Wildlife Comeback Fund features a “fast and easy grant application process” with an “agile setup” designed to provide “immediate funding” for translocations ready to proceed.

One grant recipient stated: “The fast and easy grant application process was a game-changer.”

However, specific decision timeframes (e.g., weeks/months from application to approval) are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly available. In 2024:

• European Wildlife Comeback Fund: 16 grants awarded (€800,000 total)
• Rewilding Europe Capital: Targeting approximately 10 new loans annually (€100,000 maximum each)

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. The rolling application model suggests unsuccessful applicants can reapply, particularly as their projects develop to meet readiness criteria.

Application Success Factors

Project Readiness is Critical:

The European Wildlife Comeback Fund specifically targets wildlife translocations that are “ready to be executed” - this means having animals sourced, permits secured, landowners committed, and feasibility assessments completed before applying.

Network Membership Provides Access:

ERN membership is the gateway to most funding opportunities. Members benefit from financial, technical, and promotional support beyond just grants.

Alignment with Strategic Areas:

Projects should clearly contribute to one or more of Rewilding Europe's four strategic areas: nature recovery led by natural processes, economic demonstration, communication/stakeholder engagement, and scaling rewilding efforts.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects:

• Six cinereous vultures released in Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria (EWCF)
• 13 pine martens released in UK's Lake District (€50,000 grant, EWCF)
• Red deer releases in Ukrainian Danube Delta (EWCF)
• Eurasian lynx releases in northwest Poland (EWCF)
• Land acquisition for souslik colony in Bulgaria (Land Fund)
• Land purchase for white-clawed crayfish habitat in Italian Apennines (Land Fund)
• Dam removal in Vindel River, Swedish Lapland (Open Rivers Programme grant)

Language and Terminology:

Rewilding Europe uses specific terminology including:

• “Keystone species” (not just “wildlife” or “conservation”)
• “Rewilding landscapes” (their designated project areas)
• “Nature-based economies”
• “Letting nature lead”
• “Wildlife comeback”
• “Conservation translocations”

Business Funding Criteria:

For Rewilding Europe Capital, businesses must:

• Address negative socio-economic impacts caused by rural land abandonment
• Directly or indirectly support rewilding processes
• Deliver economic returns from nature and wildlife-related sectors
• Align operations fully with rewilding principles

Communication is Valued:

ERN members receive significant communication support through Rewilding Europe's channels, reaching millions annually. Projects that can demonstrate strong communication potential may be particularly attractive.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Network membership first: Joining the European Rewilding Network (ERN) is essential for accessing most funding opportunities. Start with ern@rewildingeurope.com to explore membership.

• Have your ducks in a row: The Wildlife Comeback Fund prioritizes projects that are ready to execute immediately - don't apply until you have animals sourced, permits secured, landowner agreements signed, and feasibility assessments completed.

• Think beyond traditional grants: Rewilding Europe Capital offers loans and repayable grants up to €100,000 for businesses, not just charities. If you have a nature-based enterprise model, this could be more accessible than traditional conservation funding.

• Geographic positioning matters: Being located in or near one of Rewilding Europe's nine designated rewilding landscapes increases your chances. Projects in underrepresented countries are particularly welcome.

• Emphasize IUCN compliance: All wildlife reintroductions must follow IUCN guidelines, including identifying and eliminating the cause of original extinction before reintroduction proceeds.

• Scale and impact: With €20.3 million in annual income and ambitious growth targets, Rewilding Europe is looking for projects that can demonstrate significant impact and scalability across European landscapes.

• Fast-track advantage: The “agile setup” and “fast and easy” application process is designed for speed - if your project is truly ready, you could potentially receive funding much faster than traditional conservation grant programmes.

References

• Rewilding Europe Financial Statements 2024. https://rewildingeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Financial-statements-2024.pdf -

• Rewilding Europe Financial Statements 2023. https://rewildingeurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/RewildingEurope-financialstatements-2023.pdf -

• “European Wildlife Comeback Fund.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/european-wildlife-comeback-fund/ -

• “European Rewilding Network.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/european-rewilding-network/ -

• “Rewilding Europe Capital.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/rewilding-europe-capital/ -

• “Our Team.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/our-team/ -

• “Contact.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/contact/ -

• “Supervisory Board.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/supervisory-board/ -

• “The European Wildlife Comeback Fund swings into action with support for multiple releases.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/news/the-european-wildlife-comeback-fund-swings-into-action-with-support-for-multiple-releases/ -

• “Rewilding Europe Capital looks to amplify rewilding through increased funding.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/news/rewilding-europe-capital-looks-to-amplify-rewilding-through-increased-funding/ -

• “Annual Review 2024: leveraging natural intelligence.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/news/annual-review-2024-leveraging-natural-intelligence/ -

• “Rewilding Highlights 2024.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/rewilding-highlights-2024-overview/ -

• “New £9 million financial partnership to support rewilding across Europe.” Rewilding Europe. https://rewildingeurope.com/news/new-9-million-financial-partnership-to-support-rewilding-across-europe/ -

• “Rewilding Europe - Wikipedia.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rewilding_Europe -