England Woodland Creation Offer
UK Government · England
The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a government grant scheme supporting the creation of new woodland in England. It provides funding for capital costs, annual maintenance, and additional environmental and social benefits through stackable payments.
Overview
The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a government grant scheme supporting the creation of new woodland in England. It provides funding for capital costs, annual maintenance, and additional environmental and social benefits through stackable payments.
Grant details
Application Components: Application form, woodland design plan, supporting documentation, land management plan
Application Platform: GOV.UK EWCO application process via Forestry Commission
Assessment Criteria: Alignment with priorities including climate change mitigation, biodiversity, water quality, flood risk reduction, and public access
Decision Process: Typically 3 to 5 months from submission of a complete application
Decision Risks: Processing delays if application is incomplete or complex
Doctoral Studentships: Not specified
Eligible Research Costs: Not specified
Eligible Training Costs: Not specified
Environmental & EDI Requirements: Strong focus on climate action, biodiversity, water protection, flood risk reduction, public access, and environmental sustainability
Funding Structure: Up to £10,200 per hectare for capital costs; annual maintenance payments (typically up to 10–15 years); additional stackable payments up to £12,700 per hectare for environmental and social benefits
Future Funding (Subject to Stage Gate): Not specified
Governance Requirements: Not specified
important notes: 100% capital cost intervention (up to cap); annual maintenance payments available; additional payments for nature recovery, water quality, flood risk, access, and proximity to communities; applicants can retain Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments if eligible; integrates with Woodland Carbon Code and future environmental schemes
In-Kind Support: Not specified
Industry Leverage Expectation: Not specified
Ineligible Applicants: Not specified
Ineligible Costs: Not specified
Initial Research Grant: Not specified
Intent to Apply Deadline: Not specified
International Participation: Not specified
Key Organisational Requirements: Land must be in England and under applicant’s management control (or supported by landowner consent); minimum woodland size of 1 hectare (0.1 hectare blocks allowed)
Match Funding Requirement: Not specified
Monitoring Requirements: Not explicitly stated; compliance with Forestry Commission requirements and agreement conditions implied
Project Start Date: Not specified
Renewal Structure: Open for applications year-round
Training Grant: Not specified
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Closing date
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Amount not specified
- Funding type
- Capital Grant
- Audience
- Open to All
- Industry
- Energy & Environment, Creative & Cultural, Agriculture & Forestry