What is the Forestry Grant Scheme?
The Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) offers financial support for the creation of new woodland and the sustainable management of existing woodland. Within the scheme, there are a range of support options covering planting, woodland protection, harvesting and more.
Summaries of the grant options available can be found in:
How to apply
Visit the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Services website to find out more about the scheme and apply for a grant.
You'll also find full guidance on how to make an application.
Forestry Grant Scheme updates
Below you will find formal updates released during the grant scheme lifecycle.
- This briefing note (November 2021) updates FGS budget availability for new applications and highlights key dates for 2021 Sustainable Monitoring of Forests (SMF) returns.
- This briefing note (September 2021) introduces stocking density assessment and updates FGS budget availability.
- This briefing note (July 2021) introduces new applicant’s guidance on cultivation for upland woodland creation sites.
- This briefing note (July 2021) announces an additional submission round for applications to the Forestry Grant Scheme Harvesting and Processing option for projects in England and Wales.
- This briefing note (May 2021) provides an update on FGS budget availability for new applications.
- This briefing note (March 2021) announces new funding for the Harvesting and Processing option.
- This briefing note (March 2021) announces arrangements for 2020 Claim Year Capital Claims Processing.
- This briefing note (February 2021) introduces temporary arrangements for the FGS during early 2021.
- This briefing note (December 2020) provides information on contract arrangements as a result of the UK leaving the EU and provides an update on FGS budget availability for new applications.
Visit our 'Publications Library' for previous updates.
Customer charter
The FGS Customer Charter sets out the Customer Service Standards for our handling of FGS pplications.
Review of forestry planting approval procedures
A review of forestry planting approval procedures was designed to reduce the complexity, duration and cost of tree planting applications.
Key achievements
Significant progress has been made to deliver the 21 recommendations of the review. Some of the highlights are:
- an improved pre-application and consultation process including revised protocols between Scottish Forestry and 3 public bodies:
- Joint working agreement with Historic Environment Scotland
- Joint working agreement with NatureScot - the concordat with NatureScot was updated in October 2021
- Joint working agreement with SEPA
- improvements to how we manage the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process through threshold changes and a strengthened team dealing with complex cases and EIA casework
- an improved approvals process and better promotion of the grant scheme, with new guidance to support applicants and training devised to support the sector and staff
- improved management reports published to provide clearer information related to volume of woodland creation
- potential for large-planting schemes with four local authorities
Forestry Grant Scheme statistics
Visit our 'Publications Library' to view FGS statistics and clearing round results.
Alternatively, you can visit the Forest Research website for annual national statistics on forestry.
Contact
Contact us if you've a question about the FGS.
Contact your local Agriculture and Rural Economy office if your question relates to registering for the Rural Payments website.