Correspondence

eAlert: 22 February 2023

Published 28 February 2023

Applies to England

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22 February 2023

Find out about the Tree Production Innovation Fund and Woods into Management Forestry Innovation funds which are due to open to new applications soon, also hear from a Development Woodland Officer to see if you should apply.

Get the most up to date EWCO Application Form Part B and find out some more about how woods can help your business.

1. Tree Production Innovation Fund and Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds to reopen

Find out about the funds. The Tree Production Innovation Fund and Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds will reopen for funding applications in early Spring. 
 
This will be round three of grant funding, following successful rounds in 2021 and 2022.

2. Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds (WiMFIF)

Grant funding will be made available through WiMFIF to stimulate the development and testing of new ideas that can help improve the ecological condition of woodlands, and their resilience to climate change, via increased demand for wood and increased levels of woodland management. 
 
The following funding streams will be included in Round Three:

Applicants will be invited to submit proposals spanning up to two financial years (ending March 2025), with individual projects valued at up to £100K per year.  Lead applicants to the fund will need to be based in England and the Forestry Commission welcome applications from consortia and new entrants to the sector.

An overview of the latest WiMFIF projects awarded funding can be found on GOV.UK at: Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds: successful projects 2022 and on our blog: Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds: 2022 successful applicants.  
 
For enquiries, please contact wimfif@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

To find out more visit: Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds

3. Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF)

The Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF) has been designed to enhance the quantity, quality, and diversity of tree planting stock available for planting in England in order to plant treescapes which are resilient to stresses including climate change and pests and diseases.  
 
Funding will be in place to help nurseries and seed suppliers to develop and put in place innovative methods to supply the required young trees needed to meet government’s ambitious tree planting targets.  
 
Applicants will be invited to submit proposals spanning up to two financial years (ending March 2025). Proposals, whether single or multi-year, must have a minimum total cost of £20K to be eligible for funding under the TPIF. Lead applicants to the fund will need to be based in the UK and the Forestry Commission welcome applications from consortia and new entrants to the sector.    

Projects can be valued at up to £200K per year.  
 
To find out more about the challenges applicants will be asked to address in the application process, visit GOV.UK: Tree Production Innovation Fund.  
 
For more information:
To read more about the projects which were awarded funding in 2022, and get ideas for what’s possible, visit GOV.UK: Tree Production Innovation Fund: successful projects 2022 or read our blog: Tree Production Innovation Fund: 2022 successful applicants. 
 
For enquiries, please contact tpif@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

To find out more visit: Tree Production Innovation Fund

4. Apply now for the Development Woodland Officer programme

Submit your application by 26 February.
Gareth is one of our Development Woodland Officers studying a Professional Forester apprenticeship. Find out why he got involved:

Apply for a forestry apprenticeship.

We hosted an Ask an apprentice session during National Apprenticeship week and some of our apprentices answered your questions – take a look at the things that were asked and what the apprentices said: Forestry Apprenticeship: Your questions answered.
 
Find out if you are eligible and how to apply on our GOV.UK page: Apply for a forestry apprenticeship.

5. Update to EWCO Application Form Part B

Please download the latest version.

Due to identifying some functionality issues with version 1.8 of the EWCO Application Form Part B issued on 31 January, we have withdrawn this version. The problems have been fixed and a new version (1.8.1) is now available on the EWCO Application forms page for download.
Please ensure you are using the latest version before starting your application. If you have any questions regarding functionality with this form please contact our team for assistance at \,EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk>.

6. Agent Authority electronic signature problem now resolved

We have now resolved the technical issue that meant we were unable to process outstanding and incoming customer requests to electronically sign our Agent Authority Form. You can find guidance on how to complete the form on the Agent Authority Form page.
 
Thank you for your patience.

7. Woods mean business

Find out more.
Last week we told you about our new campaign Woods mean business, find out in our fact sheet, how woodland creation can help you generate income and diversify your business whilst delivering environmental benefits.

Read our Woods mean business fact sheet

You can also hear from Peter Knox a Business Development Advisor based in our Penrith office who has written a blog explaining how trees can stack up to help your farm business diversify.

Read our Blog

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