We are happy to announce the launch of our new Seed Sovereignty Microfund for 2025. This fund aims to provide targeted support to projects advancing seed sovereignty across the UK and Ireland.
For our inaugural year we shall be focusing on addressing issues caused by limited access to equipment and so are looking to fund 2 grants of up to £5,000 each, with a focus on essential equipment.
This fund has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kreitman Foundation.
We welcome applications from anyone engaged in work that supports seed sovereignty, be it grain, vegetable seed, herb seed or flower seed, including:
Groups (formal or informal)
Organisations (non-profit, community, or otherwise)
Individuals
Companies
Applications from a wide range of contexts, including grassroots projects, are encouraged.
We particularly welcome applications from those who would not generally have access to mainstream forms of funding (for example, because of their informal structure or because they are an individual).
Total fund available: £10,000
Maximum funding per applicant: £5,000 (we are aiming to fund 2 grants of £5,000 in the first year, but welcome applications for smaller amounts of funding which may allow us to fund more than 2 projects).
Application theme for 2025: Essential Equipment
Our theme focuses on addressing bottlenecks caused by limited access to essential equipment. Equipment may include:
Physical tools: Seed processing machinery, storage solutions, etc.
Digital tools: Software, IT infrastructure, or related technology.
Feel free to interpret the theme in another way!
Rather than formal reporting, successful applicants will contribute a ‘resource’ to benefit the wider seed sovereignty network. This could take many forms, such as:
Open-source equipment designs or schematics.
A process blueprint for replicable methods or innovations.
A film or documentation of an event funded through the grant.
Any other format that shares insights, learnings, or tangible tools with the network.
The aim is to foster cross-pollination of ideas, experiences, and knowledge within our community, as well as to ensure that the value of the funding is felt as widely as possible.
Application Deadline: 31st January 2025
Application Decision By: 28th February 2025. Please note that we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Funds to be Spent By: 31 December, 2025
Resource Submission Deadline: 31 December, 2025
Complete the brief Application Form HERE
This is a pilot initiative. As such, we welcome applicants who are open to shaping this process with us. Feedback from participants will help us refine the Microfund in future years. We also aim to keep the application process as straightforward and painless as possible, however we may not have completely mapped this process when the fund has launched. We may be in touch throughout the project to gather more information about how the project is developing.
Thank you for all the hard work you are already doing to advance seed sovereignty. We look forward to receiving your applications!
This fund has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kreitman Foundation.
