2021 Agri-environment Climate Scheme grant scheme open
Grants are now available to enable farmers in Scotland to increase or upgrade their slurry storage capacity, convert to organic farming or support priority bird species.
The 2021 round of Scotland’s Agri-environment Climate Scheme (AECS) opened for applications on 25 January and will close on 30 June.
Funding options in the 2021 round are much more limited than in previous years.
Not only is the list of funding types restricted this time around, most of these are also targeted in certain locations which will be frustrating for all those who are excluded.
However, for those that are eligible, the scheme may offer useful funding for work that will help to protect and enhance the environment.
Funding is currently on offer for:
- Organic conversion and organic maintenance throughout Scotland
- Slurry storage provision in priority water quality catchments
- Management of priority bird species (corncrakes, corn buntings and farmland waders) in targeted areas
- Management of protected areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), for the benefit of any protected features, habitat or species.
Applications for funding to incentivise landowners to create new paths, or upgrade existing ones, will be accepted from 1 March.
