Reverse the Red Announces Species Pledge Accelerator Award
For Immediate Release - March 20, 2025
In celebration of World Rewilding Day, Reverse the Red coalition announces grants to provide financial, strategic, promotional, and network support to accelerate action for threatened species
Reverse the Red is excited to announce the Reverse the Red Accelerator Award today to accelerate strategic action for threatened species.
The Accelerator Award has been developed to mobilise innovation, refine recovery-focused strategy, increase collaboration, and support the acceleration of action foundational to recovering species and creating positive impact on species and biodiversity. Reverse the Red will award grants of up to USD 15,000 with the winners announced at the World Conservation Congress in October 2025.
This competitive opportunity is for organisations or groups that have submitted a Reverse the Red Species Pledge for an endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild species of Animal, Fungi, or Plant. The Species Pledge is designed to connect the strategic actions of partners in support of National Biodiversity targets and goals. The Species Pledge will ask questions connected to the indicators, metrics, and strategies adopted by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Species pledges and pre-applications must be completed by April 25, 2025. Upon making a species pledge, organisations will receive information about applying for the Accelerator Award.
“These projects will not only benefit these incredible species but will also be models for strategic action, inspiring our community and giving hope for years to come,” said Reverse the Red Director of Strategy Michael Clifford. “The thousands of species pledges we've received from all over the world so far are demonstrating that actions are happening, and this incredible Reverse the Red network, with specific strategies, skills, expertise and experience is committed to achieving our biodiversity goals.”
Clifford added, “We know conservation action works but we need to substantially increase the pace and scale. Thanks to work like that of these organisations, the tides are changing. We can have a future where species everywhere are thriving. Together, we can reverse the red."
Recovering species is possible. The Accelerator Award will provide an entire suite of financial, technical, strategic, and storytelling support to at least six projects that demonstrate a strategic 12-month plan to accelerate recovery-focused impact. The winners will receive funding and strategic support from the Reverse the Red Executive Committee and wider coalition. The Reverse the Red Accelerator Award will amplify and support recovery-focused action to benefit threatened species.
The Accelerator Award is presented by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Synchronicity Earth and we thank them for their commitment to supporting strategic species recovery efforts.
Contact:
Megan Joyce | Reverse the Red | megan.joyce@reversethered.org
About Reverse the Red
Reverse the Red is a coalition supporting countries and partners delivering on global biodiversity goals focused on accelerating strategic, recovery-focused action to reverse the negative trends of the IUCN Red List. Reverse the Red brings together a diverse coalition of leading scientists, advocates and partners committed to using a data-driven and science-based approach to assess, plan and act for species conservation. Reverse the Red provides the tools and expertise to empower governments, partners and local communities to set and reach species conservation targets and celebrates and amplifies successful achievements for species. Reverse the Red’s Executive Committee includes: Botanic Gardens Conservation International, IUCN Species Survival Commission, Re:wild, Toronto Zoo, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Zoological Society of London. To learn more visit www.reversethered.org or follow on or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.
About the Reverse the Red Species Pledge
The Reverse the Red Species Pledge is designed to understand which organisations, groups, and agencies are committed to specific strategic recovery actions for identified species in specific countries. In 2022, 196 countries committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework with specific commitment to Goal A and Target 4 - halting extensions, reversing declines, and recovering populations; plant, fungi, and animals. To achieve these targets, we need coordinated, strategic efforts from all partners and this Species Pledge is our first step to understanding which organisations are committing their skills, experience, and knowledge to participating in the recovery of specific species. Recognising your current commitments to species recovery or thoughtfully making new commitments to strategic actions for species recovery. The Species Pledge is for any organisation or group committed to specific actions aligned with a larger strategy to see populations of threatened species recovered in the wild. Learn more and make a pledge at www.reversethered.org/reverse-the-red-species-pledge.
About The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is an innovative philanthropy providing small grants to boots-on-the-ground, get-your-hands-dirty, in-the-field species conservation projects for the world's most threatened species. Find out more at https://www.speciesconservation.org/ or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
About Synchronicity Earth
Synchronicity Earth is a UK-based conservation charity that acts to address overlooked and underfunded conservation challenges for globally threatened species and ecosystems. Find out more at synchronicityearth.org or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.