New awards initiative from Defender supports conservation and humanitarian charities

Jaguar Land Rover-owned brand Defender has launched an inaugural awards initiative to support small non-profit conservation and humanitarian charities and organisations. 

The Defender Awards will run in seven countries—including Australia and Japan in the APAC region—with seven winners each receiving a £100,000 ($130,000) bursary and a Defender vehicle. 

The winners will also receive mentoring and support from the panel of Defender Awards judges, who will help guide and advise the winning programmes.  

The awards comprises four categories: Defenders of the Wild—protecting endangered and at-risk species; Defenders of Humanity—supporting vulnerable communities; Defenders of the Land—protecting and restoring the most precious and fragile places on Earth; and Defenders of the Sea—for programmes protecting marine species and environments.  

The initiative builds on Defender's previous support for conservation and humanitarian causes, including its 70-year partnership with the British Red Cross and 20 years of collaboration with African conservation charity Tusk. It is also part of the brand's aim to establish its standalone identity within the JLR parent company, which also owns Jaguar, Range Rover, and Discovery. 

Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender, said: “Our new programme will assemble an international network of experts to share knowledge and help advance change. It is international in scale but has a local focus and will enrich Defender's rich history of supporting vulnerable habitats, species and communities.”  

The award has been accepting entries since April 2, with the closing date for submissions falling on June 16 2025.