New scheme plans to support up to ten nature projects bringing farmers together across NI
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Farmers across Northern Ireland could receive support to restore wildlife habitats together under a new scheme planning to fund up to ten projects, each potentially involving up to 50 farmers and land managers.
The Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme will open for proposals on Monday 9 November, with applications closing at 5pm on Friday 4 December 2026.
The aim is to connect and improve habitats across farm boundaries, tackling environmental problems that cannot be resolved by work on individual farms alone. Proposed support includes project development funding, capital grants and payments for farmers taking part in training and monitoring.
Restoring nature across farm boundaries
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir outlined the plans during the launch of 2026 Environment Week at Stormont.
He said:
“We intend to support up to ten ambitious landscape projects across Northern Ireland, each bringing together potentially up to 50 farmers and land managers to work together to enhance biodiversity recovery and habitat connectivity.”
Explaining why joint working matters, the Minister said:
“Delivering meaningful biodiversity recovery requires action at a landscape scale, recognising that many environmental challenges cannot be addressed through individual farm-level interventions alone.”
In practice, the approach is intended to create larger, better-connected habitats, helping wildlife recover across a wider area rather than through isolated improvements.
Who can apply
Applications may be submitted by constituted groups or organisations, including farmer-led groups and public bodies, to deliver measurable environmental improvements. Participating farm businesses must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number.
Projects will compete for support through a selection process administered by DAERA. The announcement sets out an intention to support up to ten projects; it does not award funding to any particular group or area.
Applicants must nominate a project coordinator to manage the project and submit a proposal identifying its location, the need for the work, its objectives and the proposed actions to improve biodiversity and connect habitats.
What the proposed funding would cover
DAERA proposes to fund project development, including administration, habitat assessment and mapping, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and training for farmers.
A capital grant would support the joint design and delivery of environmental work tailored to the needs of each project area.
Farmers would also receive a participation payment for attending training and other events, with an additional payment for helping monitor the effects of the work on their land.
The announcement does not specify payment rates or an overall scheme budget. The main funding source will be DAERA resource and capital funds, with the scheme forming part of the wider Farming with Nature Package.
Applications and guidance
The application window runs from Monday 9 November until 5pm on Friday 4 December 2026.
DAERA says applications will be made through an online portal accessible via its Farming with Nature Package webpage.
Scheme information, including applicant guidance and scoring criteria, can be found here.
Project coordinators needing help with an application should email FarmingwithNatureLandscapes@daera-ni.gov.uk. Applicants will receive confirmation from DAERA that their application is complete.
For interested groups, the immediate task is to bring potential participants together, identify the habitats they could improve jointly and prepare a coordinated proposal ahead of the December deadline.
