Announcement – 26th round of allocation – spring 2020

Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund has up to NOK 16,5 million for project support in 2020.

 

Purpose
Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund’s purpose is to ensure that Svalbard’s distinctive wilderness character and the unique cultural heritage is preserved as the basis of experience, knowledge and wealth creation. Visitors to Svalbard pay an environmental fee, and the revenue from the fee goes to Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund. The Fund also gets income from fees for hunting and fishing cards and fees and fines under the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act.

 

What can fund be used for?
The fund’s resources can only be used for initiatives in Svalbard with the purpose of protecting the natural environment and cultural heritage, and to projects with training and information purposes, cf. § 2 of the Statute of the Fund and regulations for grants from the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund.

 

Main priorities in 2020

  • Projects that promote sustainable tourism in Svalbard channeled to the areas around the larger settlements in the Isfjord area.
  • Projects that ensures knowledge of the overall load of human activity on vulnerable natural and cultural heritage, and especially about species addicted to ice.
  • Project that ensures knowledge about the impact of climate change on the natural environment and cultural heritage.
  • Project that promotes measures to protect cultural heritage, with particular emphasis on projects that protect cultural heritage that are exposed to the effects of climate change.
  • Project that promotes engagement and concrete environment-related action by increasing knowledge about Svalbard’s natural and cultural environment among residents and visitors, for example through innovative use of various forms of communication..
  • Projects that contributes to low-emission solutions and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of operations in Svalbard.
  • Projects that help to improve the knowledge base for harvesting in Svalbard and contribute to proper harvesting of wildlife and fish populations.

 

Applicants
Individuals, companies, NGOs and public organizations can apply for support from the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund. Applicants are encouraged to contact the secretariat if they need guidance in the application process.

 

Application
Applications must be submitted through the online application centre. Applicants must create a profile in the application centre to access the application form. Remember that all permits and attachments must be submitted together with the application. The application system is only available in Norwegian, but English guidelines are available. It is possible to submit applications and attachments in English. For further information about the application process, please contact the secretariat or visit www.miljovernfond.no

 

Application deadline: 1. February 2020