DAERA forestry grants

Almost all woodlands in Northern Ireland are planted with some form of grant assistance. The Forest Service encourages the creation of new woodlands and the management of existing woodlands by providing grant aid towards the cost of the work.

Forests for our Future programme aims to plant 18 million trees or 9,000 hectares of new woodland over the next 10 years to help our environment and economy.

Grant funding for creating new woodlands will be via the Small Woodland Grant Scheme or the Forest Expansion Scheme.

Small Woodland Grant Scheme

The Small Woodland Grant Scheme is specifically for new native woodland planting of 0.20 hectares and larger.

The scheme provides a fixed area based payment for woodland establishment, a fencing grant and where eligible annual premia for a 10-year period. The grant application is online and will open for new applications in mid December 2020 and close on 28^th February 2021 in preparation for the 2021 planting season.

Forestry Grant Schemes 2014 - 2020

Forest Expansion Scheme

The Forest Expansion Scheme is for new woodland planting of 3 hectares and larger. All woodlands that comply with the UK Forestry Standard are eligible for support. Successful applicants will receive up to 100% of eligible establishment costs and where eligible annual premia for a 10-year period.

The Forest Expansion Scheme will re-open again for new applications in Summer 2021 in preparation for the 2021/22 planting season.

Application forms and Costs spreadsheet

Forest Protection Scheme - Chalara Ash Dieback

Woodland Investment Grant

Forest Management Plan - Woodland Investment Grant (application form)

Agri-environment

Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS)