TERRACENE launches its first call for projects!

Are you developing a project to restore or conserve biodiversity on the field, in a region of the world where it is most vulnerable? We support projects that have a transformative/ systemic approach and targeting catalytic impact, whether in terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. We look forward to your project application !

Why apply?

The selected project(s) benefit from:

• Funding (total endowment of 30k€ in 2026 distributed across 1 or 2 projects)

• Visibility (integration on our website, newsletter, social media and biodiversity awareness raising activities)
• External audit on impact assessment methodology
• Opportunities for other funding

Selection process & timeline

Candidate projects are selected in a three-stage process:

1. A first call for expressions of interest with an online form, to pre-select projects: from February 24th to March 20th 2026 at 6:00PM CET
2. For pre-selected projects, a more detailed application form (application forms completed for other call for projects can be re-used) and a short interview on Teams: from April 3d to April 30th 2026 at 6:00PM CET
3. Announcement of winning projects selected by TERRACENE Board: by early June 2026

Selection criteria

• Non-profit projects that directly contribute to the restoration and/ or conservation of biodiversity on the field at the local level, whether in terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems;
• Project location: worldwide in regions where biodiversity is most vulnerable (for example in biodiversity “hotspots”) ;
• With strong potential for short-term positive impact on the field and long term catalytic impact (the projects enables to increase the scope, width or speed at which positive impact happens) ;
• Transformative approach enabling systemic change that encompasses the biodiversity as a whole (species, ecosystems, landscapes, genetic diversity, local communities), with clear understanding of the root cause and all possible externalities to be addressed, and with strong local anchorage involving local communities in project leadership;
• Integrating an innovative dimension (with a new methodology/ process/ solution that is unique to the project and leads to catalytic impact);
• Not-profit organization already existing, with some proven results and the capacity to operationalize the project;
• With a methodology defined for monitoring and measuring the project’s impact ;
• Minimum 30% and maximum 70% funding rate of the project.

Eligibility

For organizations

Are eligible:

Non-profit organisations governed by French law and serving the public interest (associations under the 1901 Act, foundations or endowment funds):

• with legal structure based in France;
• eligible for the tax regime applicable to charitable donations, in accordance with Articles 200 and 238 bis of the French General Tax Code (CGI), and having the capacity to issue tax receipts;
• up-to-date with their administrative, accounting, social security and tax obligations.

Are not eligible:

• Public bodies (state, local authorities, public institutions and, in general, all legal entities governed by public law);
• Organisations that redistribute funds and do not directly operate projects;
• Organisations that are not able to issue tax receipts, or associations that have received a negative response from the tax authorities to a request for a tax ruling;
• For-profit organizations.

For projects

Are eligible:

• Projects that tackle biodiversity restoration and/ or conservation, whether terrestrial or aquatic;
• Projects that have started or are starting before end 2026;
• Projects with ethical exemplarity: governance and transparency in decision-making, respect for the general interest and disinterested purpose, no confusion with the founding company’s purpose, absence of litigation/controversy.

Are not eligible:

• Projects aimed at redistribution;

• Travel projects;
• Projects aimed solely at cultural promotion and punctual awareness raising (films, documentaries, exhibitions, festivals, other events or book publishing, etc.);
• Projects aimed at facilitating a network of businesses.

Mandatory documents

To be provided at the second application step:

• Statutes of the organization
• Publication in the Official Journal (JOAFE) or equivalent document
• List of members of the Board of Administrators (first name/last name/position within the organisation/profession), in particular Cerfa no. 13971*03 for associations (outside Alsace-Moselle)
• Certificate from the organization attesting that it is eligible for the tax regime for patronage under Articles 200 and 238 bis of the French General Tax Code (CGI)
• Bank details

Follow-up of winning projects

• Winning projects will sign a convention with Terracene.
• The projects will obtain the donation payment by end June 2026 and will have to send a proof of payment within 1 month following the donation payment.
• The projects will have to share an update on the donation usage and project’s impact in September 2027.