Applications open for £70,000 environmental project funding

The application window has opened for Scottish government funding to support agriculture projects designed to improve sustainability and biodiversity, and mitigate climate change.

The Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) aims to promote skills development and education sharing in agriculture, and will provide up to £70,000/project.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are looking for projects that will focus on the shift toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture sector.

See also: Guide to funding for tree projects on farm

“Applications will be assessed on a number of criteria, including deliverability and how well the project benefits can be demonstrated. We’ll inform successful applicants in time for COP26, to show how farmers, crofters and land managers are working hard to change the sector for the better.”

RSPB Scotland received KTIF funding for its Bringing Biodiversity Back project, producing a series of case studies, films and an online event demonstrating how farmers across Scotland farm in a nature-friendly way.

The fund has two aims:

1. Knowledge transfer component Providing funding to organisations for delivering vocational training, coaching, workshops, courses and farm visits to develop skills
2. Innovation component Meeting the running costs of operational groups seeking to implement innovative projects in agricultural competitiveness, resource efficiency, environmental performance and sustainability.

Public sector, private sector and not-for-profit organisations are eligible for the funding, as are research institutions.

Groups made up of individuals or organisations working in collaboration (farmers, researchers, advisers, non-governmental organisations and private sector businesses involved in the agricultural sector) can also apply.

Applicants can submit a short email explaining the project to KTIF@gov.scot by Monday 27 September for some feedback ahead of completing a full application.

Final applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday 8 October and projects will need to be completed by the end of March 2022.

For more information, visit the Rural Payments and Services website.