When to apply
Applications must be received by midnight on 4 October 2019. Read what you need to do before you apply and how to submit your application.
We must receive your application by midnight on 4 October 2019.
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Identify the CS priorities related to the area that the group members could address, in the Statements of priorities: Countryside Stewardship on GOV.UK
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Form the group from prospective CS applicants (Mid Tier and/or Higher Tier) and/or existing Environmental Stewardship agri-environment and English Woodland Grant agreement holders.
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Work with the group members to agree the CS priorities, that they will deliver, from the statements of priorities, as well as any knowledge or skills that need to be developed to achieve this.
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Define the area that the group members cover – this is the size of the holdings, not the area(s) of management activity.
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Work with group members who would like you to identify possible non-CS funding sources, which also support the delivery of the CS priorities in the statements of priorities or if they would like the group to be broadened to others, for example, neighbouring farmers or non-governmental organisations.
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Draw up a group agreement, if one is not already in place. It should cover how the group will operate, how it will handle any disputes within the group and members’ roles. The agreement will need to be signed by all members. You must include a scanned copy of this with handwritten signatures, with your application. We are not able to provide a template for this agreement.
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Work with the group members to determine actions to develop cooperation within the group, to deliver the CS priorities in the statements of priorities at a landscape scale. For the transfer of knowledge and expertise, an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats may be useful for the group to determine both what should be done and how it will be delivered.
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Work out the total level of funding needed. Prepare an outline budget ( fill in Annex 2 of the application form), which will be finalised if a facilitation fund agreement, made up of the facilitation plan, offer letter and terms and conditions, is offered.
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Engage with local initiatives and partnerships that could be delivering the CS priorities in the statements of priorities. This includes Local Nature Partnerships, Nature Improvement Areas, Catchment Partnerships, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Also, engage with, Natural England, the Environment Agency and/or Forestry Commission local area teams, to make sure the CS priorities to be delivered by the group, will complement other activities in delivering the CS priorities in the area.
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Before submitting your application, you and your members will need to register in the Rural Payments service on GOV.UK. Read how to do this on the ‘Rural Payments: registering and updating your details’ page on GOV.UK
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If you work for an organisation, your organisation will need to be registered in the Rural Payments service on GOV.UK. You will need to ask a registered person with the organisation to give you permission to make applications and claims. Read how to do this on the ‘Rural Payments: registering and updating your details’ page on GOV.UK
You should submit the completed application form and any supplementary information to us by email to CS-Facilitation-Fund@rpa.gov.uk. In the title of the email include ‘CSFF Application, followed by the application number then add your SBI number’. Your application will be assessed based on the form and supplementary information. When you have submitted the application form, you will receive an automated response to confirm we have received it.