The RDPE is set to open the first round of applications for the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS). This is a new grant aimed at projects that fall into the following areas of activity; Nutrient management, energy efficiency, water resource management, animal health and welfare and forestry. It is open to all famers, contractors, foresters and horticulturalists across England and is designed to improve business efficiency whilst limiting the impact of farming on the environment. The RDPE has announced that £20 million is available under the FFIS grant until December 2013 with a minimum grant of £2,500 to a maximum per applicant of £25,000.The grant rate for the capital items will be set at 40% for non upland holdings and 50% for those in upland areas.  Â
Applications can be submitted from the 16th November 2011 with round 1 closing on 17th January 2012. Further rounds of applications are planned as the FFIS is intended to operate every 4 months, however DEFRA urges early application as budget availability is largely dependent on the uptake.
The scheme is intended to be competitive and as such there is no guarantee that projects will obtain funding. It is very likely however that each round will have its own priorities therefore we will maintain a constant communication with the area RDPE team to assess what type of projects they are looking for in each application round.
If you have a potential project that you like to obtain funding for and it falls within the specified categories then please do contact us to discuss further.
