DAERA Minister Andrew Muir launches £12.2m Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced that the Competitive Call for the new Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme (FwNLPS) has opened for applications, with an overall funding allocation of £12.2million.

The Scheme forms part of the Farming with Nature Package within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and aims to support biodiversity on farms by funding a range of environmental actions.

The application window for the FwNLPS opened on Monday 9 November, and will remain open until 5.00pm on Friday 4 December.

Minister Muir said: "This scheme represents an important opportunity for farmers, land managers and environmental stakeholders to come together and develop ambitious, landscape-scale projects that will deliver meaningful outcomes for nature across Northern Ireland.

"Through collaborative action, the scheme will support the creation of larger, better-connected habitats and help address biodiversity loss at a scale that cannot be achieved through individual farm-level interventions alone. By working together across landscapes, participants can contribute to biodiversity recovery, improved habitat connectivity and greater ecological resilience, while supporting sustainable food production.

"We intend to support up to 10 projects, bringing together farmers and land managers to deliver bespoke environmental actions tailored to local priorities and opportunities. I would encourage all eligible organisations and groups with an interest in nature recovery and sustainable land management to review the scheme guidance and consider submitting an application.

"Applications must be submitted through the online portal, and I would encourage prospective applicants to familiarise themselves with the guidance and scoring criteria available on the DAERA website ahead of the closing date."

Applications may be submitted by constituted groups/organisations including farmer led groups or public bodies to deliver measurable key environmental outcomes. Participating farm businesses must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number.

Landscape Projects will be selected based on a Competitive Call, administered by DAERA. Applicants will nominate a Project Coordinator who will manage the project and will submit a project proposal that identifies the location, need, objectives, and proposed landscape actions to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity on a landscape scale.

The scheme will provide funding for the development and delivery of the proposed project, including administration, habitat assessment and mapping, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation, and the provision of training for farmers.

It will also provide a capital grant to support the co-design and delivery of bespoke landscape actions tailored to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity. Also a participation payment to farmers for attendance at training and other events with an additional payment for taking part in the monitoring of the effects of the bespoke actions on their land.