Your Comprehensive Guide to England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant is a practical way for landowners to start new woodlands across England, with support from the Forestry Commission and the Nature for Climate Fund. It’s designed to help reach the UK’s goals for reducing carbon emissions, supporting wildlife, improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and creating green spaces for everyone to enjoy​​.

What the EWCO Grant Covers

EWCO provides funding for a range of activities to help landowners create and manage woodlands. This grant supports both the initial setup and ongoing care of young woodlands, making sure they have what they need to grow.

Key Benefits of Woodland Creation

With the EWCO grant, new woodlands help with:

• Climate Change: Trees capture and store carbon, reducing greenhouse gases​.
• Supporting Wildlife: Expanding woodland habitats boosts biodiversity​​.
• Cleaner Water: Woodlands act as natural filters, improving water quality​.
• Managing Flood Risks: Trees absorb water and slow its flow, reducing flooding​.
• Public Access: Creating accessible woodlands gives communities more places to enjoy nature​.
• Reducing Air Pollution: Planting trees near sensitive areas helps capture ammonia and other pollutants​.

Financial Support You Can Expect

EWCO funding covers several areas, giving a good financial foundation for your woodland project:

• Initial Setup: Up to £10,200 per hectare for establishing the woodland​.
• Ongoing Maintenance: £400 per hectare each year for 15 years, covering early care for young trees​​.
• Infrastructure Support: Funding is available for paths and other public access points​.
• Additional Payments for Specific Benefits: Projects that provide added benefits can qualify for up to £11,600 per hectare, or £12,700 for Low Sensitivity Land​.

Breakdown of Extra Payments

If your woodland project provides specific benefits, you could receive:

• Public Access and Recreation: £3,700 per hectare​.
• Urban or Scenic Areas: £600 per hectare​.
• Riparian (Waterways): £2,500 per hectare​.
• Water Quality: £500 per hectare​.
• Flood Management: £1,000 per hectare​.
• Wildlife Habitats: An extra £3,300 per hectare for planting near ancient woodlands​​.

Who Can Apply

EWCO is open to various land managers: private landowners, tenants, public bodies, and even groups of landowners working together. To qualify, your land must be in England and meet certain biosecurity and sustainable management standards.

Land Requirements and Other Conditions

• Minimum Land Area: The minimum area for EWCO is 1 hectare, but it can be divided into smaller plots if they fit into a larger project​.
• Land Classification: If your land is currently classified for agriculture, you may need to update its status to woodland. This is often part of the application process, to ensure the land is managed according to the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)​.

Application Deadlines and Timing

There are no set deadlines—you can apply anytime during the year. However, it’s a good idea to apply early, especially if your project needs ecological surveys or involves getting consents. Sometimes funding can reach capacity, so submitting your application ahead of time helps secure your spot​​.

How to Apply

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Register with the Rural Payments System: Get a Single Business Identifier (SBI) and register your land.
2. Create a Woodland Creation Plan: Define your project’s objectives, tree species, planting density, and plans for public access, making sure they meet UKFS guidelines​.
3. Submit Your Application: Complete the EWCO form, attach documentation (like your biosecure tree sources), and include any required maps or consents​​.

Who to Contact for Help

If you have questions about your application or eligibility, here are some helpful contacts:

• Forestry Commission: For general advice and guidance on your application, reach out to the Forestry Commission’s local woodland officer.
• Natural England: If your project involves sensitive habitats or needs an endorsement, Natural England’s advisors can help with those requirements​.

Extra Tips for Applicants

• Biosecurity: It’s crucial to source trees from certified suppliers to avoid spreading pests and diseases​.
• UKFS Compliance: Woodland projects must follow the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), which covers everything from tree selection to long-term care​.
• Management Control: Land managers (whether owners, tenants, or public bodies) must control the land for the duration of the EWCO agreement​.
• Stacking with Other Schemes: You can combine EWCO with other grants, like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) or Countryside Stewardship, as long as the actions don’t overlap​.

Fast Track Option and Scoring System

EWCO has a Fast Track process for straightforward projects, speeding up the approval process. Applications are scored on public benefits like climate impact, wildlife support, and public access, with higher scores increasing your chances of approval​.

How GrantAdvisor Can Help

Applying for EWCO can seem a bit daunting, and that’s where GrantAdvisor, our free digital assistant, comes in handy. GrantAdvisor offers personalised advice on eligibility, application steps, and woodland planning. With  GrantAdvisor, getting started with your woodland project is much simpler.

In summary, EWCO is a great way for landowners, tenants, and public bodies to kickstart woodland projects with strong financial backing. By understanding EWCO’s options and following the simple application steps—and with help from tools like Grant—you can make a real difference for nature, your land, and your community.

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