Making Woodland Work: How grants can help your forestry business

Forestry Commission - FREE events

Following on from the success of last year, the Forestry Commission is co-ordinating a further round of events and advice to provide support to forestry businesses that are thinking of applying for financial support, including grants from the Rural Development Programme (e.g. Countryside Productivity, LEADER and Growth Funds from Local Enterprise Partnerships).

These may offer grants for:

• Timber and woodfuel harvesting, extraction and primary processing equipment
• Storage to season woodfuel
• Training
• Business support
• Co-operation, collaboration and advisory services

Advice & information clinics

• An opportunity to seek 1:1 advice about the support that may be available to help you expand and/or diversify your forestry business.
• Join us on the Forestry Commission stand on Friday 18th September at the Bentley Wood Fair OR Saturday 3rd October at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair.

“Pie and Pint” evening workshops

Informal networking opportunities enabling you to catch up with sector colleagues, get an update on the latest market and grant developments, and to collectively discuss challenges and opportunities with like-minded colleagues.

Dates and venues are to be confirmed, but will be run during the first two weeks of November in the following locations:

• South west Hampshire
• Surrey / Sussex border (near Horsham)
• Berks / Bucks / Oxon
• Kent / East Sussex border

Please let us know if you are interested in attending by emailing southeast.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk with your contact details and your preferred location.

Application masterclass” workshops

An opportunity for you to go through Countryside Productivity Scheme and LEADER grant applications in detail, with opportunities to ask questions and discuss proposals.  Dates are to be confirmed, but will run in January 2016.  

Timing 3pm until 6pm in the following locations:

• Sylva Foundation, Little Wittenham (Oxfordshire)
• Alice Holt Research Station, near Farnham (Surrey)
• Woodland Enterprise Centre, Flimwell (East sussex)

To show your interest, please contact southeast.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk stating your preferred location.