Participants explored the evolving investment landscape for peatlands, identifying key barriers and opportunities for blended finance, combining public, private, and philanthropic sources. The full day workshop strengthened relationships across the sector, and renewed a shared commitment to coordinated market development and improved storytelling for investment.

Discussions demonstrated that while substantial public funding exists, unlocking private capital depends on improving transparency, coordination, and the ability to communicate multiple co-benefits of restoration, such as carbon storage, biodiversity, and water quality among others.

In the morning, presentations from the Great North Bog, South West Peatland Partnership, and Peatland Finance Ireland showcased diverse financial models—from carbon credit aggregation to multi-benefit ecosystem certificates—demonstrating how locally rooted partnerships can scale impact. In the afternoon, a storytelling session reframed peatland communication strategies around emotion and culture, positioning investors and communities as heroes in a shared journey toward restoration.

The workshop concluded with agreed next steps: refining the Collective's aims and ambitions, collaborating with the IUCN UK Peatland Programme on joint messaging, compiling collective data to amplify advocacy, and cooperating on market strengthening measures. Together, these efforts mark a decisive step toward building a coherent, investable market for peatland restoration across the UK and Ireland.

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With thanks to the EU Horizon WaterLANDS programme for its ongoing co-funding of the Peatland Finance Collective, to the University of Exeter for kindly providing a venue for the meeting, and to the South West Peatland Partnership for hosting a guided tour of a Dartmoor restoration area.