A new round of applications for the fund to support environmentally friendly land management practices is now open. The scheme is designed to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage and help agricultural businesses adapt to the effects of climate change.

Farmers can be funded for:

  • Managing vulnerable and iconic species and habitats, strengthening ecological networks, controlling invasive non-native species and enhancing the condition of protected nature sites.
  • Contributing to Scotland’s climate change targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and securing carbon stores in peatlands and other organic soils.
  • Meeting obligations to improve water quality under the EU Water Framework Directive by reducing diffuse pollution.
  • Controlling flooding through natural flood risk management.
  • Supporting organic farming.
  • Preserving the historic environment.
  • The window will run for 12 weeks from 16 January to 12 April. Collaborative projects involving five projects or more have until 31 May to submit applications. While applications for slurry storage can be made during the main AECS window, the deadline for standalone slurry store applications is 26 June.

    The Improving Public Access scheme will not be reopening for applications following a record number of high-quality applications in 2018.

    The scheme is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the EU, with any new contracts guaranteed for the full term.