Photos by ©Philip Price/seawilding.org (Images 1-4, 6) and ©Marine Conservation Society (Images 5, 7).
The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) is designed to help bridge the nature finance gap. We accept voluntary contributions from those interested in the health of Scottish waters and strategically redistribute through grants to marine enhancement projects across Scotland.
The unique placement of SMEEF, which is managed by a Steering Group of the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, Crown Estate Scotland and NatureScot, provides exceptional insight and assures robust governance and transparency.
SMEEF plays a key role in delivering important policy areas including the Blue Economy Vision for Scotland and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
SMEEF funds projects that recover, restore or enhance the health of marine and coastal habitats and species from Shetland to the Borders. On World Seagrass Day 2024 we announced our largest and most exciting partnership to date. Working with SSEN Distribution we will invest £2.1m in Scottish seagrass meadows (read the full story HERE
Read our Impact Report HERE. Scroll down for a live map of projects funded to date.
SMEEF aims to be an effective long-running, funding mechanism that will:
The Fund supports a just transition to net zero through grant-aided projects that enhance the marine ecosystem services we all rely upon, including:
Long term goals
Enabling industry to play their part
Through private investment
Overcoming barriers and supporting impactful projects
Science led grant programmes
Many communities, business and individuals are involved in marine restoration across Scotland. Almost ALL the projects on this map received funding through SMEEF since it was established. Donations have come from a range of donors, including the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund as well as private companies. Click on the pins for a short description and be inspired by the range of exciting projects which are happening around our coastline and in our seas. As more SMEEF funded projects get underway, they will be added to this map.
Photos by ©Philip Price/seawilding.org (Images 1-4, 6) and ©Marine Conservation Society (Images 5, 7).