Grants available for environmental improvement in Wales

An interim scheme designed to encourage farmers in Wales to collaborate on actions such as flood risk management and woodland creation, is now open for applications.

The Welsh government is developing the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) and has given farmers and land managers until 27 September to apply to be part of that.

See also: Minister reveals more details on Welsh SFS transition

Although the scheme is separate from the planned Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), the government says it will be used to inform the collaborative element of the SFS, and will get projects in place in readiness for its launch.

Benefits

Welsh rural affairs secretary Huw Irranca-Davies said the natural resource projects that will be considered for inclusion will be those that deliver benefits to farmers, rural businesses and rural communities.

“The scheme has been developed to focus on collaborative action – enabling farmers and land managers to work together to deliver innovative solutions,” he said.

Projects could include enhancing peatlands, creating and managing woodland, improving public access, and protecting landscape and historic features. 

The government is also looking for applications that would enhance priority and semi-natural habitats and improve the scale and diversity of semi-natural habitats and natural features.  

Also considered will be projects that strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected sites with actions carried out at a landscape scale to improve their connectivity and condition.

Farming Connect will host a webinar on Wednesday (11 September) to give farmers the chance to learn more about the INRS. 

Further information on the rules for the scheme are available online