Open Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects for 2025/2026 launched
- Published on: 31 March 2025
- Last updated on: 16 April 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, have today launched an open call for proposals for forestry promotion projects.
Minister Heydon welcomed the second tranche of this open call for the 2025/2026 period and stated:
“I am pleased that we can offer support for initiatives that will encourage landowners to plant more trees, promote the benefits of timber and assist forest owners in the sustainable management of their forests.”
This public call for innovative projects will support and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry, forests and timber products. Funding will be allocated by means of an open competition under a Forestry Promotion Projects Support Fund.
Announcing the call, Minister of State Healy-Rae said:
“We need to promote forestry and I am looking for innovative proposals to encourage farmers and other landowners to plant trees under the forestry programme, and to raise the profile of forestry as a public good and a commercially viable enterprise.”
Applications are invited, from any group or individual, under the following themes:
1. Afforestation promotion schemes with a particular focus on engaging with farmers, existing forest owners and other landowners.
2. Promotion of the benefits of increased use of timber products in construction and design, in the context of climate action and the bioeconomy.
3. Sustainable forest management schemes and climate resilience building that promotes the multi-functional benefits of trees and forests including for eco-system services, bioenergy, forestry career opportunities, forest for people and general wellness.
This competitive process is open to all and as with the previous tranche, applications are expected from a wide range of stakeholders.
Minister Healy-Rae concluded:
“I want to stress that trees can be a valuable addition to any farming enterprise and that there are options under the programme that will suit all, from the small Native Tree Area Scheme to the twelve diverse forest types on offer through our current Afforestation scheme."
Notes
The Call Specification document and application form are available to view here
Applications may be emailed to ForestrySupportFunding@agriculture.gov.ie
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 28 April 2025.