Grant Management

Through the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Phase 2 (FGMC2) programme, the team is supporting the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to tackle the underlying drivers of illegal deforestation and promote sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient land use across key tropical forest regions. As FCDO’s flagship global forest governance initiative, FGMC2 aims to strengthen governance systems, shift market incentives, and reduce the illegal and unsustainable use of forest resources while delivering benefits for forest-dependent communities.

As part of this high-profile programme, the Programme Management, Support and Services Team (PMSST) leads on the effective delivery and management of a complex, multi-country portfolio. This includes oversight of a sizable accountable grants portfolio, spanning 23 grants across multiple regions, alongside responsibility for programme-wide monitoring, evaluation and learning and communications.

Running from 2025 to 2030, FGMC2 builds on earlier successes while responding to escalating global pressures linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, and human rights. The PMSST plays a central role in ensuring programme effectiveness, providing integrated technical, financial, and operational oversight across the full grant lifecycle, from early-stage scoping and due diligence through to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. By strengthening programme coherence and enabling evidence-informed decision-making, the team helps ensure that investments deliver measurable and lasting impact.

Through this integrated support, FGMC2 promotes stronger forest governance, advances legal and sustainable trade in forest products, and reinforces the rights of forest-dependent communities. In doing so, the programme contributes to global efforts to protect forests, reduce emissions, and safeguard biodiversity, while supporting more resilient and inclusive economic development across partner countries.

Through the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) grants programme, NIRAS is  supporting the UK Government to deliver locally led solutions that protect marine ecosystems while reducing poverty in coastal communities. As part of the multi-million Blue Planet Fund, OCEAN provides targeted grant funding to civil society organisations and NGOs working at the frontlines of ocean conservation—enabling them to design and implement innovative approaches to sustainable marine management, biodiversity protection, and resilient livelihoods.

Operating at global scale, the programme prioritises inclusive and equitable development by embedding gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) across all stages—from proposal development to project delivery. NIRAS manages the programme through a rigorous and adaptive approach, ensuring that funding reaches capable local partners while maintaining high standards of due diligence, risk management, and performance monitoring. Continuous learning and feedback loops are built into each funding round, allowing the programme to evolve in response to emerging challenges and policy priorities.

By strengthening the capacity of local organisations and amplifying community-driven solutions, the OCEAN programme contributes to healthier marine environments, more sustainable use of ocean resources, and improved livelihoods for vulnerable coastal populations—supporting a more inclusive and resilient blue economy worldwide.