Poots announces £4 Million Small Woodland Grant Scheme in support of ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme

Date published: 16 December 2020

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced the next stage of the ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme by launching a new £4million grant scheme that aims to encourage and help landowners plant their own native woodlands.

Successful applicants to the Small Woodland Grant Scheme will receive a standard establishment grant to cover the cost of planting their woodland and will also be eligible for an annual premia for a period of 10 years when planting on agricultural land.

Announcing the Scheme, Minister Poots said: “Earlier this year I launched the Forests for Our Future programme, where I pledged to plant 18 million trees by 2030 and create 9,000 hectares of new woodland to help our environment and economy.

“To date approximately 574,000 trees have been planted and today I am pleased to announce  the opening of the new Small Woodland Grant Scheme, with a fund of £4million, to support farmers and other landowners in planting native trees in smaller areas to complement their existing holdings and land management,  and therefore helping us achieve the  ambitious target under the ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme.

“I am continuing to lead the development of the Executive’s Green Growth strategy, which aims to transform our society towards net zero carbon by 2050, protect and enhance our environment and to sustainably grow the economy. ‘Forests for Our Future’ will be a foundation programme of Green Growth.

“Our woodlands are a hugely valuable natural resource and will benefit individuals, community and society by contributing to a healthy, quality environment, helping to capture carbon from the atmosphere as they grow and improve our landscape and biodiversity.”

Encouraging farmers and landowners to apply for the Grant Scheme, Minister Poots added: “Applications can be submitted for areas down to 0.2 of a hectare. The new scheme is simple to apply for using an online application and approval system, it provides a planting plan and map for applicants and grant is paid on a standard rate basis. The grant scheme will operate under the Area Based Scheme processes and all applicants require a DAERA Business ID to apply.”

All applications for the new Small Woodland Grant Scheme must be submitted  using the online system by 11pm on Sunday 28 February 2021. The Scheme is planned to re-open in summer 2021.

See further details on the Scheme

Alternatively, contact Forest Service on 028 6634 3165 or via email

Notes to editors: 

  1. Land on which Single Farm Payment (SFP) was paid in the 2008 scheme year or subsequently and was converted to forestry under an EU scheme remains eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme for the duration of the Forestry Grant Scheme.
  2. The schemes are funded through the Rural Development Programme, part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and DAERA.
  3. The Small Woodland Grant Scheme  establishment grant is paid at £2,925 per hectare, 80% in year 1 and the remaining 20% in year 5. A fencing grant is also available where necessary to secure the new woodland.
  4. Annual Premia are payable over a 10-year period where the land to be planted is in agricultural use.
  5. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook
  6.  All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office
  7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110

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