Data Portal Projects

Accessing conservation funding in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), including on Montserrat, presents significant challenges due to their unique constitutional status. The UKOTs are neither fully part of the UK nor independent states, meaning they are often ineligible for major international funding sources such as the Global Environment Facility and the EU LIFE Fund.

As a result, UKOTs rely heavily on UK-based funding streams, particularly Darwin Plus, as well as a small number of philanthropic funders (such as the John Ellerman Foundation) who have supported targeted UKOT-focused initiatives.

Darwin Plus Projects on Montserrat

The UK Government’s Darwin Plus programme has been instrumental in supporting biodiversity conservation on Montserrat. Darwin Plus began in 2012, following earlier UK Government support through the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) and Darwin Initiative funding streams.

Since 2012, Montserrat has received over £4.24 million in support across 24 projects focused on protecting the island’s ecosystems, strengthening local conservation capacity, and conserving threatened species. These projects have included:

• restoration of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax)
• development of marine conservation strategies
• coral restoration and monitoring programmes
• community engagement, education, and youth involvement in conservation

Darwin Plus projects typically involve partnerships with local organisations such as the Montserrat National Trust (MNT) and the Government of Montserrat, strengthening local expertise and long-term sustainability.

Selected Darwin Plus projects (Montserrat)

There are 42 projects in total associated with Montserrat. A summary of selected recent projects is listed below:

• Nature-based solutions to treat SCTLD – Montserrat – Pilot Program
• Developing conservation practitioners to enable mountain chicken restoration in Montserrat
• Establishing a Video Survey Library Program for Montserrat’s Coral Reefs
• MNT – Pipers Lot Outdoor Educational Facility & Nature Trail
• Strengthening Montserrat’s Marine Ecosystem through Coral Restoration Implementation and Training
• Green Space Creation on Montserrat
• Demonstrating Adaptation and Sustainability at the Montserrat National Trust’s Botanical Gardens
• Implementation of in situ nature-based SCTLD treatment programme – Montserrat
• Identifying cetacean species in Montserrat by establishing a hydrophone network
• Fostering youth engagement in biodiversity and conservation in Montserrat
• Demonstrating healthy propagation practices to improve native plant production
• Securing Montserrat’s threatened endemic species and natural capital through community action
• Delivering biodiversity and human well-being gains for Montserrat’s sustainable development

See more

• Darwin Plus – Montserrat project search results:
  All Darwin Plus projects tagged for Montserrat