Farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to act now and
apply for the 2026 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme before
applications close at 5pm on 31 July 2026.
The Scheme offers farm businesses the opportunity to secure up to
£20,000 to undertake practical environmental improvements while
supporting a more sustainable and resilient farming sector.
Following a successful Year 1, the 2026 Scheme includes new
actions, greater flexibility and expanded eligibility, giving
more farmers the opportunity to benefit.
The Scheme forms part of DAERA's Sustainable Agriculture
Programme (SAP) and is a key Ministerial priority to support
farmers in delivering environmental improvements.
Building on the success of Year 1, Year 2 of the Scheme offers
farm businesses greater choice and flexibility to invest in
practical nature-friendly actions, with enhancements introduced
following feedback from farmers and stakeholders.
Key changes for Year 2 include:
- Eligibility extended to include active Environmental Farming
Scheme agreement holders;
- Introduction of eight additional actions, including three new
arable field margins, two herbal leys and three management
actions for hedgerows, trees and 7 m riparian buffer strips
established under Year 1;
- Farm businesses can apply for up to £20,000 to undertake
environmental actions this year, and there is no minimum
application value.
To be eligible, applicants must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2
Business Identification Number.
Farm businesses that applied in Year 1 are welcome to apply again
in Year 2. Businesses that were unable to complete approved
actions in Year 1 may reapply for those actions, alongside any
additional actions available in Year 2, provided no payment claim
was submitted for the unfinished work.
As part of the wider Farming with Nature Package, the scheme is
helping to expand nature-friendly farming across Northern
Ireland. Further information about the Farming with Nature
Package is available on the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/sap-payment-schemes#toc-2.
Approval notifications for the Farming with Nature Transition
Scheme will issue through DAERA Message. Applicants should check
their email regularly, including junk mail.
Work on Year 2 actions must not begin until you have received an
approval notification.
Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and how to videos,
is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/farming-nature-package
Applications can be made via an online application, which can be
accessed through: https://www2.daera-ni.gov.uk/AuthWeb/auth/login/DAERAOnlineServices/2/
For assistance, please contact: FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk
Alternatively, call 0300 200 7848, select 2 for Grants and
Funding, then Select 2 to speak to the Farming with Nature Team.
Further information on the Sustainable Agriculture Programme is
available from the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/sustainable-agriculture-programme.
Notes to editors:
- The online application service is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. The Farming with Nature Advisory Team can be
contacted for assistance in completing applications on 0300 200
7848 (Monday to Friday 9am 5pm).
- If you need help with your online application, please do not
attend your local DAERA Direct Office without an appointment. You
must first contact the Farming with Nature Advisory Team on 0300
200 7848 to discuss your needs and, where appropriate, arrange a
Digital Assistance appointment.
- Registration for a DAERA online account can be completed on
the DAERA website at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services
or call 0300 200 7848 for support to get registered.
- If you cannot complete the online FwNT application yourself,
you can nominate an Authorised Person (Agent) to do so on your
behalf. Further information on how to nominate another person to
complete the application on your behalf is available here:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/online-agent-nomination.
