The Rural Payments Agency has published the latest round of the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, which gives groups of farmers and landowners in England the opportunity to work together and share knowledge to protect and enhance the local environment, in line with their local Countryside Stewardship priorities.
The £2.5 million fund for this round encourages collaboration between farming groups and supports government efforts to improve the environment and create cleaner, greener landscapes.
A new theme of Net Zero has been introduced for this round alongside existing themes, which will contribute to meeting the UK’s environmental targets. Groups now need a minimum of 500 hectares to be eligible for the scheme, making it easier for smaller groups of farms to come together. Administrative processes have also been changed, making it easier to apply and join the scheme.
Applicants should use the statements of priorities and supporting maps for their area to:
- identify the priority features and issues being targeted in their area
- help choose which options to include as part of an application
