Meet Our 2026 Small Grant Recipients

February 18, 2026 In In The Field, News By Sarah-Leigh Watson

Meet Our 2026 Small Grant Recipients

As part of Table Mountain Fund’s Care Programme, Nature Connect has been appointed as a facility to issue small grants on TMF’s behalf. Through this partnership, the Small Grants Project provides funding and mentorship to community-based organisations and NPOs across the Cape Floristic Region, supporting environmental conservation, awareness and sustainability efforts.
These grants are designed to welcome new individuals and organisations into the conservation sector, while promoting biodiversity protection, community participation, youth involvement and sustainable livelihoods.

After receiving an incredible 74 applications for 2026, and following a competitive selection process, Nature Connect has awarded grants to six inspiring community organisations:

𝗕𝗼𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀: A youth-focused environmental club in Ocean View building leadership and environmental pride through indigenous and food gardening, clean-ups, skills-sharing and the establishment of a dedicated youth environmental hub.

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗔: A Khayelitsha-based initiative restoring and protecting Monwabisi Beach through clean-ups, recycling drives and school-based education, strengthening coastal stewardship among young people.

𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲: Working with youth in Lavender Hill through guided hikes, workshops and reflective learning experiences that connect environmental awareness with personal growth and belonging.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: A youth empowerment programme linking young people from Nyanga, Philippi and Gugulethu to the biodiversity of the region through hands-on learning, mentorship and exposure to green career pathways.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱: A youth-led initiative restoring neglected green spaces and home gardens into thriving indigenous landscapes, building practical green skills and community pride.

𝗩𝗿𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻: A family-centred indigenous gardening and environmental education programme creating safe spaces for learning, biodiversity support and stronger parent–child connections.

These teams have hit the ground running in 2026 and we look forward to supporting them on their journey as their impact grows.

Sarah-Leigh Watson

After qualifying with a BA in Journalism and African History from Rhodes University, Sarah became a FGASA-registered Game Ranger and spent time in the South African Lowveld pursuing her passion for wildlife photography and nature conservation. She began her conservation communications career with WWF South Africa, where she worked across the Marine and Freshwater Programmes before moving into broader brand and communications roles. In 2011, Sarah joined The Table Mountain Fund as a private consultant to manage the Fund’s Communications and Marketing portfolio. Having grown up in the shadow of Table Mountain, she is deeply passionate about conserving this iconic landmark and the broader Cape Floristic Region.

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