Forestry Challenge Funds

 

Forestry Challenge Funds are administered by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) under the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).  Two funds are available: Woods In and Around Towns, and Forestry for People. 

There will be two judging rounds for applications each year (starting in 2009) with deadlines for submission of 31st March and 30th September.

• The next application deadline is 31st March 2009.

Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT)

The WIAT Challenge Fund aims to bring urban woodland into sustainable management and improve recreation facilities by carrying out an agreed programme of work.

The funding is targeted at woods within 1 km of settlements with a population of over 2000 people (the WIAT area).  The aim is to regenerate the woodland environment close to centres of population, improving the quality of life for people living and working there.

The type of work that could be supported includes:

• development of woodland management plans
• silvicultural work to improve woodland structure and condition
• construction of new or improved recreation facilities including footpaths

The WIAT Challenge Fund is a key mechanism for delivering FCS’s WIAT Programme. This programme of work in and around towns aims to:

• create new woodland
• bring neglected woodland into active management
• work with people to help them use their local woodland

Checking eligible areas

To see if you are eligible for the fund, you can use the Land Information Search (LIS), which contains a map showing the WIAT area.  There are various options for searching the LIS (e.g. by Town name, OS grid reference).  To see the WIAT area for your chosen search, select the 'WIAT Challenge Fund Area' box and click 'refresh'.  The applicable area will be displayed on the map.

Forestry for People (F4P)

The Forestry for People Challenge Fund covers all Scotland, including the WIAT area. It supports local involvement in woodland projects for health, learning and strengthening communities.

Examples of this might include:

• setting up walking initiatives
• developing natural play areas
• delivering rehabilitation programmes in woodland
• developing continuous professional development (CPD) programmes for teachers 
• establishing volunteer groups
• developing not-for-profit initiatives such as green exercise projects

Health and education proposals should either align with Forestry Commission Scotland’s Woods for Health Strategy, the Woods for Learning Strategy, or tie into the work of local Forest Education Initiative groups (if relevant to your area).

Applying for funding

Guidance and information

• The how to apply and general guidance document (PDF 100k) gives an overview of both funds, eligibilty criteria and how to make an application
• The specifications and guidance notes document (PDF 93k) lists sources of best practice information.  The specifications provided by these sources are regarded as the most desirable for use in applications
• The Challenge Funds information leaflet (PDF 352k) provides a broad overview of the scheme and what it aims to do 
• Applications will be judged on the criteria specified in the scoring sheet (PDF 42k) and as explained in the scoring sheet guidance (PDF 51k).

Evaluating social forestry initiatives

In 2008/09 Forestry Commission Scotland is piloting an evaluation framework for selected health-related forestry initiatives, built into Woods in and Around Towns and Forestry for People Challenge Funds and various social forestry programmes.

If you are developing a health-related initiative, we may make use of the framework a condition of our support.  We will tell you if this is the case.

• See details of the evaluation framework.

Application forms

There are three forms to complete:

• Challenge Funds application part 1 (PDF, 147k)
• Challenge Funds application part 2 (MS Word doc, 26k) 
• Challenge Funds application spreadsheet (Excel spreadsheet, 234k)

Instructions:

1. Print the PDF application form and complete Part 1 in writing. 
2. Please remember to sign and date the Declarations. 
3. Post this form to your local FCS Conservancy office with any supporting maps and appendices.
4. Complete Part 2 of the PDF application form electronically (e.g. with MS Word).
5. Email your file to the Conservancy office along with the completed Excel spreadsheet. 
6. Please mark the file with your name and the property name.

For further information please email: centralscotland.cons@forestry.gsi.gov.uk