FAQS

The Defender Awards is a new programme designed to further extend Defender's support of humanitarian and conservation organisations around the world. The brand has worked hand in hand with global partners The Red Cross and Tusk for decades, supporting their tireless work at a global level. This programme will enable Defender to support more, smaller organisations that are embracing the impossible every day.

Winners of the awards will receive:

- £100k funding (or local country equivalent) £50k in year one and £50k in year two.  

- A Defender for two years.

- Communications and PR support.

- Mentoring from subject matter experts.

The Defender Awards is a two-year programme. Each winner will receive support from Defender over a two-year period.

In the first phase of the programme, we are welcoming applications from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

We will be awarding 7 winners across the participating markets.

In the first phase of the programme, we are welcoming applications from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Small charities and non-profit organisations with an annual revenue of below £500k (or local currency equivalent) that focus their work on humanitarian and conservation in these countries can apply. There are four categories against which applications can be made: Land, Sea, Wild, Humanity.

Organisations applying must be registered in line with local legislative requirements.

If you reside in a participating country, operate in the humanitarian and conservation field, and have an annual revenue of below £500k, then you are eligible to apply.

The Defender Awards is designed to help small charities and organisations that would not normally be able to benefit from support of this kind. We want to ensure that the project funding, vehicle and mentoring support will make a deep and lasting difference to the successful applicants.

We have used annual revenue as one of the qualifying criteria because it is a useful way to think about the size of an organisation and the resources it has available to pursue its mission.

The competition is free to enter and open to individuals aged 18 or over who are members of small NGOs or charitable organisations. Employees, agents, suppliers of the Promoter, their family members, and individuals benefiting from similar bursaries or associated with competitors in the motor vehicle sector are not eligible.

Entrants must complete the entry form and confirm eligibility. The competition runs from April 2, 2025, to May 21, 2025, with one entry per participant. Access to a mobile, email, computer, video recording device, and internet is required. The Promoter may disqualify entries that do not comply with the terms or spirit of the competition.

The four award categories have been designed to support a breadth of cause-based projects in the humanitarian and conservation space and are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Defenders of the Land
 

Driven by an adventurous spirit, Defender can take you to places others fear to tread. Parts of the world that are inaccessible, across terrain and landscapes that test endurance.

We recognise that many of the landscapes we first encountered 70 years ago have changed beyond recognition. Our mission is to help protect and rewild some of the world’s most fragile landscapes. Whether it’s Moorlands in rural England or a rainforest in Australia, we are seeking projects that are dedicated to protecting these important ecosystems. 

 Defenders of the Sea
 

Our oceans and coastlines are fundamental to the survival of our planet. They provide an incredible backdrop for adventure and exploration, but their future health and prosperity require purposeful and powerful action. Our mission is to help address the many challenges affecting sea life and coastal communities. Whether it’s water pollution in France or unsustainable fishing practices in Japan, we are seeking projects that are dedicated to supporting marine and coastal species, and the ecosystems on which they rely.

Defenders of the Wild
 

For almost 20 years, we have helped Tusk to deliver its ambitions conservation mission in Africa. They have increased vital protection for over 50 million hectares of land and supporting more than 40 threatened species. But it is not only the big five that face the threat of extinction. Our mission is to help protect indigenous species of all types and sizes. Whether it’s the Alpine Shrew in Germany or Vultures in South Africa, we are seeking projects that are committed to helping protect endangered and at-risk species, whatever their size.

Defenders of Humanity
 

In 1954, two Series I Land Rover vehicles were sent with accompanying nurses to remote areas in Dubai and Kenya. They had a singular purpose — to bring communities much-needed medical and welfare services. The vehicles’ off-road capabilities ensured that the terrain was not a hindrance in vital aid reaching the people that needed it most. Our mission is to help vulnerable communities, ensuring they can prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises, whenever and wherever they strike. Whether it’s food poverty in the UK or supporting the victims of flooding in Italy, we are seeking projects that are supporting people and communities in their time of need.

The primary focus of the Defenders of the Sea category is on marine ecosystems, including marine species and coastal communities.

Please apply to the category which best aligns to your organisation’s work. 

Defender is a brand with purpose at its very heart. Working with the Red Cross for 70 years — in the longest standing humanitarian partnership of its kind, and Tusk for 20 years, we are absolutely committed to our global citizenship mission.

Defender is one of four brands driving forwards JLR’s Reimagine strategy, one that is designed to be an exceptional journey of transformation. It lays out a clear vision to create new benchmarks in environmental, societal and community impact for business. As a global enterprise, JLR is working towards net zero emissions through the decarbonisation of its manufacturing, operations, and supply chain, as well as delivering electric models of all its vehicles by 2030.

Reimagine is about co‑creating with innovators, developing strategic collaborations, and unlocking innovation and electrification across our entire footprint. Working with partners and experts in organisations like Tusk, Red Cross and our future Defender Award winners is a critical part of delivering this strategy.

Please email: Defawards@jaguarlandrover.com. Please clearly indicate the country in which you wish to apply in the header of the email to help us manage your enquiry quickly.

Example: “AUSTRALIA: I need help with my application.”