Contribute
Photo: Richard Davies / Wildland Ltd
Contribute
Why contribute to the Scottish Rivers Fund?
Scotland’s rivers are among the country’s most iconic and ecologically important ecosystems, yet they are under pressure. Decades of habitat degradation, localised water quality issues, and the accelerating impacts of climate change mean that urgent, coordinated action is needed. The Scottish Rivers Fund exists to drive that action, and we cannot do it without the support of businesses and individuals who share our commitment to Scotland’s rivers.
The Scottish Rivers Fund mobilises private, voluntary investment from businesses and individuals committed to restoring Scotland’s river catchments. Private funding is critical to delivering on our vision, complementing public funding, and helping build a sustainable economy that recognises and protects the true value of rivers and the wide range of benefits they provide to wildlife, communities, and the economy.
Contributors can be confident that their investment is strategically placed for maximum impact. The Fund’s robust governance arrangements and grant-making process ensure that contributions are directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver environmental and social benefits, backed by national policy and guided by science.
The Scottish Rivers Fund offers contributors an opportunity to:
Strengthen operational and supply chain resilience
The health and resilience of rivers have a direct relevance for businesses in water-dependent industries and those with water-sensitive supply chains. The Scottish Rivers Fund supports restoration interventions that strengthen the resilience and adaptability of river ecosystems to a changing climate, improve water quality, moderate instream temperatures, and restore more natural flow regimes, among other core outcomes. Investing in the Fund is an investment in the long-term stability of Scotland’s water environments.
Access data and insights
The Fund places robust monitoring and reporting at the heart of its operations. As a contributor, you will receive regular updates on the performance of the Fund’s project portfolio and the outcomes delivered in alignment with globally recognised frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which provides a framework for businesses to assess and report on nature-related risks and opportunities. We will also be pleased to present to your key stakeholders about our work and what your contribution is helping to achieve.
Gain recognition
We will recognise your role as a contributor and supporter of the Scottish Rivers Fund across a range of channels, including your logo on our website and in our annual impact report, acknowledgement during events, and collaborative communications and marketing initiatives. We want your contribution to be visible to the audiences that matter to you.
Engaging with peers
As a contributor, you will be invited to join the Contributors’ Forum – a dedicated body where you will engage with the Scottish Rivers Fund’s founding partners and fellow supporters, discuss issues of shared relevance, and contribute your knowledge and recommendations. Beyond the Forum, we want to create meaningful opportunities for contributors to actively shape long-term stewardship for Scotland’s rivers.
Photo: Nith Catchment Fishery Trust
your role
More than a contributor
The Scottish Rivers Fund sees contributors not simply as supporters, but as partners. We recognise that every contributor is different – whether you are looking to make a straightforward contribution or play a more active role in shaping the Fund’s direction, we would love to explore what that could look like together.
For those who wish to engage more deeply, we welcome conversations about co-creating specific features of the Fund – from themed funding pots to joint communications that tell the story of your organisation’s commitment to Scotland’s rivers.
Ethics
Ethical contributions
The Scottish Rivers Fund is committed to ensuring that all parties are protected from any real or perceived impropriety through the offer or receipt of a contribution. Our Contributions Acceptance Policy sets out the terms under which contributions are accepted or declined, ensuring they are consistent with our core aims and do not compromise the reputation, financial position, or integrity of the Fund or its partners.
Each contribution is subject to a risk-based due diligence process, overseen by a dedicated governance body (the Ethical Contributions Board). This process is shared with the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF), reflecting a consistent and rigorous approach to ethical funding across both initiatives, from source to sea.
Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about our approach to ethical contributions.
Become an early supporter now, and help us restore Scotland’s rivers
The Scottish Rivers Fund is seeking early supporters to help enable the first wave of river restoration projects. We are looking for individuals and organisations ready to support a growing portfolio of river catchment restoration projects across Scotland, and we would love to start a conversation about how you can play a role.
There is no obligation – whether you have a specific idea in mind or simply want to learn more, please get in touch.