DAERA Minister Andrew Muir confirmed the launch of a fresh funding opportunity designed to enhance environmental action on agricultural land. The initiative, known as the Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme, has an approved budget of £12.2million available for distribution.
Applications are now being accepted through a formal competitive process managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This marks the first stage in selecting projects that will receive financial support from the Resource and Capital fund.
The scheme operates under the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, which became operational on 19 June 2025. These regulations provide the legal framework for the current programme.
A group of stakeholders representing both agriculture and environmental interests met in June 2024 to advise on the creation of this package within the wider Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
Successful applicants will be required to appoint a Project Coordinator responsible for overseeing the entire project lifecycle. This individual must submit a detailed proposal outlining specific locations, identified needs, and intended objectives.
The proposed actions must focus on improving biodiversity and ensuring habitat connectivity at a landscape level rather than isolated sites. Funding will cover costs related to administration, mapping, assessment and monitoring activities.
In addition to capital grants for bespoke landscape interventions, the scheme includes provisions for training farmers and payments for participation in relevant events.
Those who submit their applications will be notified by DAERA once their submissions are deemed complete. The final selection of projects will depend on the outcome of the competitive call process.