North Highland Forest Trust - Funding       13/08/2007

 

 

Money for Planting Trees - Get it while it lasts Quite a few groups and businesses in the North are concerned about the delay in the start up of the new forestry grants scheme.  This scheme is designed to plug this gap for a few projects at least. Whilst this fund will be very competitive, and is very targeted, they will hopefully want to have projects spread around the country (?), not just the central belt?  If you can make the climate change, woodfuel, sustainability, habitat network case as well as the local uniqueness and need for your project, then you should have a fair chance!  Do speak to your local woodland officer about any project you might have that seems to fit.  And NHFT would of course be delighted to help too.  Here’s what’s on offer:   
Forestry and biomass growers are to benefit from a £3 million woodland creation scheme which is aimed specifically to help tackle climate change. The one-off funding measure for woodland creation in the 2007/08 planting season will run on a competitive basis with potential beneficiaries bidding for the funds. Proposals which demonstrate the greatest contribution to climate change action through carbon sequestration, wood fuel supply and in the creation of forest habitat networks are most likely to succeed.  The announcement was made by Environment Minister Michael Russell today when he visited a woodfuel project being developed by Caithness Heat and Power at Pulteney Distillery in Wick. He said: "I'm pleased to be able to announce support for woodland creation at this time. It should help ease the uncertainty for forestry and biomass businesses who need to urgently begin preparations for winter planting. This one-off measure will assist the creation of around 2,000 hectares of woodland to help tackle the impacts of climate change. Successful proposals for woodland planting will take place this winter following the required design, consultation and approval process. By inviting applications now, forestry and biomass growers will have enough time to carry out all the necessary planning and consultation to allow planting this coming winter and spring.   Deadline - 31 August 2007    Details of how to apply are at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/woodlandcreationscheme 

Growing Community Assets/ Community Land Unit  Growing Community Assets (GCA) is part of the Investing in Communities fund being delivered by the BIG Lottery in Scotland, and replacing the Scottish Land Fund.  GCA can assist successful applicant community groups in four main areas of their project. Those areas are; –Technical Assistance (During Project Development), –Asset Acquisition, •–Capital Asset Development and Revenue Support.

The Community Land Unit are facilitators for BIG Lottery of this scheme and aid community groups with their applications. Community Groups who are interested in making an application to GCA can do so by visiting the following website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or can seek further advice by calling the BIG Lottery Advice line on 0870 240 2391.

Rural Development Small Award Fund   £500 - £5000 for rural settlements of under 3000 population.  Funding to assess feasibility of new ideas  .

  • 100% funding

  • Capacity building

  • Supporting group activities

  • Small capital items

  • Assisting with community needs

Processed to approval stage within 2 months of receipt.  Tel:  0131 244 3885.  E-Mail RDSAF@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or visit the website www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/Funding

Awards for All  Awards for All Scotland is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport Scotland and the Big Lottery Fund.

 

We award grants of between £500 and £10,000 for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.  www.awardsforall.org.uk  

Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme  - New forestry grants will be introduced as part of Land Management Contracts in 2007.  The proposed grants scheme aims to support the following activities:  Go to http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6wxjmk for more details.

  • Creation of new woodlands

  • The management of existing woodlands

  • Woodland improvement activities

  • Activities which help to improve forestry business performance and competitiveness.

A summary of the proposals is described below and more details can be found in the document Delivering Forestry Grants in Scotland 2007 - 2011 (PDF 101k).

Please note: all the proposed forestry activities and payment rates may be subject to change as they are not approved by the EU at present.  The proposals are being submitted to the EU as part of the Scottish Rural Development Plan.

As part of the LMC approvals process applicants will need to register with the IACS.  This has been developed to administer EU grants and to combat fraud under the Common Agricultural Policy arable and livestock schemes.  All landowners who receive support under the Common Agricultural Policy need to be IACS registered. The Guidance for initial IACS registration of forestry land (PDF 297k)provides more information on this important process.

Forest Education Initiative  Forest Education Initiative (FEI) aims to increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday…The FEI Partnership Fund is specifically to support the work of FEI clusters. It can provide match funding for specific activities, which enhance the overall objectives of the FEI. These are to help develop among young people a greater understanding of trees, woodlands, forest management, forest products and wood as a sustainable resource. Grants of up to £5,000 (50% match funding needed) are still available throughout the year. Info: http://www.foresteducation.org Guidelines and an application form

Scottish Biomass Support Scheme - This is a new capital grant aimed at promoting the biomass (primarily wood-fuel) sector in Scotland. Money is given for installations – including eligible kit/pipe work and boiler plant and infrastructure directly related to developing the woodfuel/biomass supply chain.

£7.5milllion is available until March 2008. There is a maximum grant of £400k. For installation, 40% of additional costs (50% for SMEs) compared with conventional systems are eligible. For the supply side, up to 40% of additional costs of entering the biomass supply chain may be paid. - Deadline – March 2008

Public and private formally constituted organisations based in Scotland are eligible. Private householders are ineligible

Contact SBSS Administration, Tel 01349 860 919 email biomass.scotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or look at www.usewoodfuel.co.uk

The Tree Council (UK)  - Trees for Schools Fund  & Community Tree Fund - The Trees for Schools Fund provides financial assistance for tree planting projects taking place in UK school grounds during National Tree Week.  In 2007, National Tree Week will take place from 21 November to 2 December 2007. Grants are available for projects where tree planting costs are between £100 and £700.  Eligible costs include the cost of the trees, labour for planting, and any necessary supports and aids to establishment: stakes, ties, guards, fertiliser, mulch and soil amelioration (where conditions make this appropriate). It is important that projects actively engage children in the planting of the trees.  The Community Tree Fund also provides financial assistance for tree planting projects on publicly accessible land in the UK.

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2007 (noon), however submissions are welcomed well in advance of the closing date.

http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/

Scottish Natural Heritage Grants Programme
Don’t forget the SNH grant schemes supporting the protection and improvement of the natural heritage, and to help people understand, enjoy and care for it:

  • Managing special places

  • Supporting biodiversity

  • Enjoying Scotland's outdoors

  • Developing paths and routes

  • Attractive places to live

  •  Involving people

  • Sustainable rural land use

  • Sustainable approaches to managing waters

Grants are offered to a wide range of organisations including the voluntary sector.
There is no upper limit on the value of awards, although most grants are <£10,000, and you can apply for as little as £250. Awards are rarely for more than 50% of project costs. Three years is the normal limit for funding. Apply for grants <£10.000 at any time; you will receive a decision within 20 days. Closing dates for larger applications are on 1 September and 15 April. Contact local SNH staff for advice.
For more information email grants@snh.gov.uk or download an application pack from www.snh.org.uk  

 

BACK

 

 

North Highland Forest Trust, Alba, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland KW10 6TG   T: 01408633986  E:  info@nhft.org.uk   W:  www.nhft.org.uk 

  Site Design by Marlyn Price