Forestry Promotion Scheme

The Forestry Promotion Scheme provides funding for projects and events which encourage the planting of new forestry. It supports the promotion of good management of existing forestry and raises awareness of forestry’s benefits.

The scheme is designed to help achieve the planting levels set out in the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 and in particular to help achieve a broadleaf planting target of 30%.

Proposals should comply with the call specification for the scheme. Proposals can be submitted under the following categories:

• promoting the multifunctional benefits of forestry
• promoting the planting of trees
• forest management promotion

Project are assessed using a marking system based on set criteria including:

• quality and experience of individuals who will deliver proposals
• extent of networking with other groups to promote awareness of the benefits of forestry
• Value for money

Proposals on promoting awareness of forestry’s benefits are also assessed on the initiaive's ability to reach audiences not normally exposed to this type of message campaign. Projects to promote the planting of trees are also assessed on how they reach out to landowners who have not considered forestry as an option. Proposals on promoting forestry management are evaluated on their quality and relevance to the needs of private forest owners.

Multifunctional benefits of forestry

The target audience for this category is the general public. Proposals submitted must convey a strong message that Ireland’s trees and woodlands are there to be enjoyed by society as a whole. Innovative platforms for conveying this message are encouraged including social media, educational tools, photography, and interactive material that can be used at various agricultural shows.

Promoting the planting of trees

This focus area calls for innovative actions that reach out to all landowners with a strong message reinforcing afforestation as an attractive land use option for both farmers and non farmers. The target audience must include landowners who have not yet planted.

Proposals should highlight the economic benefit of forestry at an individual level such as tax benefits, timber as a source of income, creation of an asset that can help secure finance for other farm investments.

Forest management promotion

Forestry organisations can apply for funding under this heading. Projects can include publications, newsletters, field trips, site visits, seminars, website development and other educational actions that benefit existing forest owners and timber end users. Proposals for promotion activities in wood energy and biomass can be submitted under this heading.

Assessment

Where proposals have received the same marks, the cost of each proposal will be used to decide the final placing, with the lower costing proposal being placed ahead of the proposal with a higher cost.

Where funding is not available in 2019 for proposals that reach the required standard, an offer of funding may be made for 2020 where budget allows.

All grants are paid on the basis of vouched expenditure only. No advance payment of grants or installments will be possible and applicants must take this into account in proposing projects for funding. The extent to which proposals will be funded will depend on the budget available at a given time. The Department may decide to offer funding which is less than the amount sought or turn down one action in the proposal but fund another.

The approval process for 2019 and 2020 is done in March 2019. The closing date for submissions is Friday 1 March 2019 at 1pm via email to christine.smith@agriculture.gov.ie