Empowering young people across Europe to protect pollinators and address biodiversity loss

The IUCN Save Our Species programme, working with the European Union, is delighted to announce the launch of the European Fund for Youth Action on Pollinators, an ambitious initiative designed to empower youth to safeguard pollinators and tackle biodiversity challenges. Pollinators serve a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems and supporting agriculture, yet their populations face serious threats from unsustainable land use, intensive farming, pesticide exposure, invasive alien species, pollution, and climate change. In response to this pressing issue, the Fund has been established as part of the Youth for Pollinators Pilot Project, launched by the European Parliament in 2022. It aligns with the goals of the IUCN Youth Strategy 2022–2030, which promotes youth-led conservation actions.

Supporting youth-led action for pollinators

Operating until 2027, the European Fund for Youth Action on Pollinators will provide grants to projects which support youth action. These grants will support activities such as restoring pollinator-friendly habitats, raising public awareness about the importance of pollinators, enhancing knowledge on threats to pollinator populations, and developing strategies to address them. By linking youth-driven conservation initiatives with expert knowledge, the Fund aims to mobilise efforts for biodiversity protection, strengthen Europe's capacity to preserve pollinator diversity, and ensure food security for future generations.

Additionally, the initiative supports the implementation of regional and global biodiversity goals, including the European Commission's EU Pollinator Initiative - a vital component of the European Green Deal and the broader EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - which outlines actions to halt pollinator decline. By engaging young people in conservation efforts, the Fund also contributes to the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, while aligning with the Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention for Biological Diversity.

Building a community of conservation innovators

Through the IUCN Save Our Species programme, this Fund will promote collaboration between young pollinator advocates and pollinator experts. Grantees will benefit from technical guidance and a dynamic network to exchange ideas and share successes. The initiative will also encourage knowledge-sharing and best-practice implementation, with successful methodologies integrated into the PANORAMA Solutions platform.

Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General, IUCN said, “The active participation of young people is vital to driving the systemic change we urgently need to prevent biodiversity loss and ensure that nature conservation contributes to a just, equitable and sustainable world. Projects like this, co-funded by the European Union, are essential to supporting the many forms of leadership young people are demonstrating to mobilise behavioural change that brings us closer to living in harmony with nature."

Call for proposals opening in June 2025

The European Fund for Youth Action on Pollinators will support young leaders to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where pollinators thrive, by implementing action to tackle the causes of their decline, enhancing knowledge, and mobilising society for the conservation of pollinators. IUCN will invite proposals for projects of up to 15 months in duration, located in EU countries*. Grants of up to 70,000 EUR are available for youth-led organisations or those engaging youth. Up to 15,000 EUR will be granted for individuals who are EU citizens between 18 and 35 years of age. The call for proposals will be launched on IUCN’s Save Our Species website in June 2025 as part of this 30-month initiative.

*The call will be open to organisations operating in the European Union, EU overseas countries and territories are not eligible, except for the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira.