Northern Ireland Minister announces plan for Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced plans to launch the Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme.

The scheme, which aims to support landscape scale nature restoration on farms by funding a range of environmental actions through DAERA's Farming with Nature Package, will open for project proposals on 9th November.

During the launch of 2026 Environment Week at Stormont, Minister Muir told guests:

I'm delighted to announce that the Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme, will open for project proposals on 9 November.

Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of my key priorities. The Farming with Nature Package is an example of this, supporting the scaling up of nature friendly farming, to help deliver environmental benefits, public good and more sustainable food production.

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."

The Minister continued: Delivering meaningful biodiversity recovery requires action at a landscape scale, recognising that many environmental challenges cannot be addressed through individual farm-level interventions alone.

The scheme will support and encourage effective collaboration between farmers, land managers and other stakeholders, working together across boundaries to create larger, better-connected habitats and deliver lasting environmental benefits for nature, climate and society.

By enhancing habitat networks and improving ecological connectivity, the scheme will also support the recovery of priority species, helping to build ecological resilience and create a more sustainable environment in which farming and nature can thrive together.

Further details of the scheme are now available on the DAERA website."

Applications may be submitted by constituted groups/organisations including farmer led groups or public bodies to deliver measurable key environmental outcomes. Participating farm businesses must have a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number.

Landscape Projects will be selected based on a Competitive Call, administered by DAERA.

Applicants will nominate a Project Coordinator who will manage the project and will submit a project proposal that identifies the location, need, objectives, and proposed landscape actions to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity on a landscape scale.

It is proposed that the scheme will provide funding for:

• The development of the proposed project including administration, habitat assessment and mapping, facilitation, monitoring & evaluation and the delivery of training to farmers.
• A capital grant to support the co-design and delivery of bespoke landscape actions tailored to improve biodiversity and habitat connectivity
• A participation payment to farmers for attendance at training and other events with an additional payment for taking part in the monitoring of the effects of the bespoke actions on their land.

The application window will open on Monday 9th November and will close on Friday 4th December at 5pm.

Applications will be made via an online portal, which can be accessed at: FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk

Full details of the Scheme, including applicant guidance sheets and scoring criteria will be available on the DAERA website at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/new-future-schemes from the 28 September.  

If Project Coordinators require further help or guidance with an application, they should e-mail: FarmingwithNatureLandscapes@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. DAERA's Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) (formerly the Farm Support and Development Programme) is being designed through close engagement with external and internal stakeholders.  A forum for key stakeholders from the agriculture industry and environmental sector was formed in June 2024 to provide input into the development of the Farming with Nature Package.
2. The overall aim of the Programme is to transition to a more sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies that benefit our climate and environment while supporting our economically and socially significant agri-food sector. 
3. The main source of funding for the SAP is the NI Executive Earmarked Agriculture Budget (£329.4m for 2025/26).
4. The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 provide the legislative cover for the Scheme and came into effect on 19 June 2025.
5. The main source of funding for the Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme will be from DAERA Resource and Capital funds.
6. Applicants to the Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme will receive confirmation from DAERA that their application is complete.