Protected Landscapes – our National Landscapes (formerly called AONBs) and National Parks – are special and unique places. By supporting the farmers, land managers and people who live and work in these areas, we can help protect a huge range of habitats and species and support local communities.
To help do this, Defra has introduced the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which can provide funding (minimum grants of £2,000 up to the maximum of £50,000) for eligible projects in the East Devon National Landscape.
Funding sustainable farming
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is open to all farmers and land managers within a National Park or National Landscape in England as part of the Government’s Agricultural Transitional Plan, which sets out how Defra’s support for farmers and land managers is changing over the next few years.
It supports farmers and land managers to carry out projects that:
- support nature recovery
- mitigate the impacts of climate change
- provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
- support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses
This is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Eligibility
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is open to all farmers and land managers (including from the private, public and charity sector) and can support activity on any land within the East Devon National Landscape.
You can see the East Devon National Landscape (formerly called AONB) boundary by visiting the MAGIC mapping website.
It can also support activity on other land where projects can demonstrate benefit to the East Devon National Landscape, or the objectives of the Management Plan for the area. Most of the funding will probably be provided to projects within the East Devon National Landscape boundary.
- You must manage all the land included in the application, and have control of all the activities you’d like to undertake, or you must have written consent from all parties who have this management and control.
- Other organisations and individuals can apply, as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers.
- Common land is eligible for support through the Programme. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.
Successful applications
So far, more than 1000 projects have been approved across the UK.
View case studies of some of the approved East Devon projects below:
Download the leaflet (click image) for further examples of some of the projects that have been funded nationally, what farmers have said about the programme, and how to apply
What the programme will pay for
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme will pay for projects that provide value for money and meet at least one of the outcomes in the four themes below.
| Climate outcomes |
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| Nature outcomes |
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| People outcomes |
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| Place outcomes |
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Your project must also help to deliver at least one of the policy priorities of the East Devon AONB Partnership Plan.
For example, the programme might support:
- promoting connectivity between habitats
- replacing stiles with gates on public footpaths, to promote easier access
- conserving historic features on a farm, such as lime kilns or mining heritage
- supporting a locally branded food initiative that promotes the links between the product and the landscape in which it is produced
- action to store more carbon on a farm
- gathering data and evidence to help inform conservation and farming practice
Details of our priorities can be found in the Guidance for Applicants document (see below).
HOW TO APPLY
The grant has a rolling application window.
A Local Assessment Panel will consider applications over £5000. Applications under £5000 will be delegated to the National Landscape Manager. The Local Assessment Panel will meet approximately every 8wks. Successful applications will need to be financially completed by March of each financial year.
We will also consider applications for funding in the second year of the programme, especially if you aim to begin early in the financial year. Multi-year awards are possible for longer projects, but all projects must end by March 2025.
To discuss an idea/register your interest prior to application, please contact us as below.
email: info@eastdevon-nl.org.uk
call: 01404 642030
PROGRAMME FUNDING
More to Explore
East Devon AONB Projects
We lead, partner and support projects that focus on a wide range of themes, including landscape and heritage, environmental quality and climate, biodiversity, recreation and tourism.
Outdoors & Active
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East Devon Way
Discover the hidden gems of East Devon and explore this much loved walking route that links 40 miles of public footpaths, trails and bridleways.