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.

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 is open, for the receipt of applications, for planting in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 planting seasons. Please refer to the Information Booklet for key dates for applications.

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 Small Woodland Grant Scheme is closed for applications. This information will be updated when the Small Woodland Grant Scheme opens for planting in the 2024/25 planting season.

Forest Protection Scheme - Ash Dieback

The Forest Protection Scheme – Ash Dieback is now closed for applications.

Woodland Investment Grant

The Woodland Investment Grant scheme is now closed for applications.

Agri-environment

Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS)

Legacy schemes (closed to new applicants)

UK Woodland Carbon Code

The Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) is the quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects in the UK, and generates independently verified carbon units. Backed by the Government, the forest industry and carbon market experts, the Code is unique in providing woodland carbon units right here in the UK. The Woodland Carbon Code is internationally recognised for high standards of sustainable forest management and carbon management and is endorsed by ICROA, the global umbrella body for carbon reduction and offset providers in the voluntary market.

Home - UK Woodland Carbon Code