Rural Economy Grant (REG)

The Rural Economy Grant was launched by Defra in February 2012. The £60 million scheme will provide grants to enable significant ‘game changing’ investment in rural businesses including the forestry sector. Woodland owners, forestry contractors and woodfuel suppliers of any size can apply for funding.

Grants are available from £25,000 to circa £1 million, awarded up to a maximum of 40% of project costs with the remainder to be matched by private funds. Within forestry, projects will be supported that fall under the themes of ‘modernising supply chains, developing new products and developing the market for high quality woodfuel’. The Outline Application phase is now open with a deadline of April 30th to submit an initial proposal.

The REG complements the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) which provides small grants support of between £2,500 and £25,000 to woodland owners and micro businesses.

The Applicants Handbook, Forestry Appendix and Outline Application Form are available to download below, with more information available at http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant. Northwoods are able to support businesses through the application process. For more information contact Jill or call 01670 513292.

Funding for the REG is provided through the Rural Development Programme for England. RDPE is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union and facilitated in the North East by Northwoods.