Welcome to the Forestry Commission England Grants page with information on grant availability in England.
English Woodland Grant Scheme
The English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) is the Forestry Commission’s main scheme for providing financial support. Its primary objectives are to create and manage woodlands, to sustain and increase the delivery of public benefits. EWGS is supported via the Rural Development Programme for England. Work carried out with grant support must meet the criteria set out in The UK Forestry Standard (PDF 974kb), the chief guide to the practice of sustainable forestry.
Other funding sources
In addition to EWGS, there are other funding sources:
- Environmental Stewardship (managed by Natural England) provides grants for environmental management, including woodland. The FC has produced further guidance available from the Funding for Farm Woodlands in England page
- Short Rotation Coppice can be funded via the Energy Crops Scheme (also managed by Natural England)
- Funding for social and economic investment in woodland will be available from Regional Development Agencies in due course, under Axis 1 & 3 of the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE)
- There are a variety of other funding sources available for woodland creation and management. The Royal Forestry Society has produced a guide called Grants for Trees that lists over 50 funding sources
Legacy schemes
There is information about the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) if you need to make a claim or an amendment. This scheme is now closed so new applicants should follow the EWGS link.
Details on Farm Woodland Premium Schemes (FWPS) and Farm Woodland Schemes (FWS) are available via the Farm Woodlands link.
