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  • ANALYTICS
Defender
OVERVIEW DEFENDER AWARDS

DEFENDER AWARDS

Small, non-profit organisations have the opportunity to power their humanitarian and conservation impact with a £100,000 grant and a Defender for two years. 

GREATNESS FOUND. BOUNDARIES BROKEN.

One global search. Hundreds of applications. We've been inspired by the extraordinary organisations who share our mission to defend the planet. The Defenders of Tomorrow. 
 

56 unstoppable organisations from seven countries have been shortlisted by local expert panels of explorers, conservationists, filmmakers and sustainability leaders for the first ever Defender Awards. Seven winners will each receive £100,000, a Defender for two years and expert mentorship to empower their mission for the next two years.

Defender Awards, search and rescue

DEFENDERS OF HUMANITY

Defender’s capability and versatility are perfectly suited for transporting aid to people who need it most. From food poverty in the UK to flooding in Italy, our humanitarian missions continue to help vulnerable communities regardless of location.

Defender driving through water

DEFENDERS OF THE SEA

Coastlines and rivers are fundamental to the survival of our planet. Rich environments for adventure and exploration, their future health and prosperity demands purposeful and powerful action.

Defender exploring rugged Scotland

DEFENDERS OF THE LAND

Many of the terrains the original Defender explored 75 years ago are now beyond recognition. Our land mission is to protect and rewild remaining ecosystems, whether it’s a Moorlands in rural England or a rainforest in Australia.

Defender conquering Kenya’s wild

DEFENDERS OF THE WILD

For almost 20 years, Defender has helped increase vital protection for more than 40 threatened species across Africa. We continue to seek projects around the world that are committed to protecting our wildlife, whatever its size.

MEET THE DEFENDERS OF TOMORROW

Click here to navigate to the inspirational projects shortlisted for the Defender Awards.
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A LEGACY OF PURPOSE

Since 1948 Defender has helped expand knowledge of our planet’s ecosystems by navigating places many thought impossible to reach.

 

Timeless Land Rover legacy

  

  

  

NORTH TO SOUTH

In 1960, the seemingly impossible was achieved when a Series I Land Rover, travelled from Canada to Panama. Roaming dense vegetation, steep hills and swamps that made up the 483km just south of the Panama Canal, the journey served to highlight the extraordinary biodiversity and cultures that span the continent. 

Joyful water festival celebration

  

  

  

EAST TO WEST

In 1955, six Oxford and Cambridge students drove two Land Rover Series I’s from London to Singapore and back again — a 51,500km voyage. With minimal off-road modifications —  winches, long-range fuel tanks, spotlights and jerry cans — the team crossed unforgiving deserts, jungles and waterways, documenting the flora, fauna, and people they met along the way. 

DEMO

DEFENDER PARTNERSHIPS

Emergency response team assembled

RED CROSS

Defender and the British Red Cross have worked together since 1954 to build community strength, and resilience around the world.
Adventure begins with Defender

TUSK

Tusk’s rangers brave remote and treacherous terrains with the strength and capability of Defender, preserving biodiversity in Africa.

*Our definition of small charity or organisation is one which generates a gross income of under £500,000 per year.

 

To qualify you will need to go through a three-stage application process. As part of this process we will undertake independent third-party eligibility checks. For more information about these checks, please see our Q&A.

 

The awards process has been designed to make it as easy as possible to apply to the programme.

 

Stage One: This first stage of the application process is designed to ensure that your organisation is of the right size, scale and in the right sectors to be eligible for the programme.

 

Stage Two: A more detailed application in which you will need to outline specific information about the project for which you require support. Details of how you will use the funding and vehicle and how you will measure the impact. Here you will need to showcase your film making skills as we will require a 60 – 90 second video providing an elevator pitch of your project.


Stage Three: A panel of experts will review the final shortlisted applications and select the winners.