Deadline: 10-Aug-20
The SMS – N2K is funded by the Welsh Government and aims to support landscape-scale capital investment delivering action to improve the condition of Natura 2000 sites. More specifically, actions to improve:
- natural resources in a way that delivers wider benefits to surrounding communities and landscape;
- biodiversity and,
- ecosystem resilience to climate impacts.
The SMS – N2K will support the delivery of the Welsh Government’s commitment to sustainable development as set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and delivers directly against the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (The Act), that is enabling Wales’ resources to be managed in a more proactive, sustainable and joined-up way.
Wales has 21 Special Protection Areas for vulnerable birds and 95 Special Areas of Conservation for other rare species and threatened or representative natural habitats. Together they are known as Natura 2000, and along with areas across Europe, they form an unparalleled network of international importance for nature conservation. Wales’ Natura 2000 network covers more than 700,000 hectares (8.5% of Welsh land area and 35% of territorial waters). Looking after these sites is integral part of helping to achieve the sustainable management of our natural resources across Wales, these sites:
- Provide a vital sanctuary and high level of protection to 69 species and 55 habitats which are internationally threatened
- Contribute significantly to the Welsh economy through tourism, recreation, farming, fishing, and forestry
- Provide essential life support services for all of them, such as purifying the drinking water and storing carbon
- Show them nature at its best, giving enjoyment to millions of visitors every year
Funding Information
- The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual project is £4,000,000.
- The minimum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual project is £10,000
- As a guide, Welsh Government would expect for projects to be submitted requesting between £50,000 and £500,000.
- The maximum grant rate is 100%
Examples of activities that will be considered include:
- Actions to address habitat fragmentation including habitat creation, restoration and connectivity both on N2K sites and the surrounding landscape or sea area
- Collation of evidence to inform further action
- Better understanding of and improvements to the hydrological functionality of a N2K site and the surrounding catchment
- Disease risk control, biodiversity measures
- Invasive species control
- Woodland creation, tree felling
- Water quality improvements, run-off, sediment and erosion control, dredging
- Conservation translocation, predator control
- Cutting, mowing, grazing
- Channel modification
- Footpath repair
- Purchase of capital equipment
Eligible Activities
- Development and Planning to directly take forward capital activities to improve Natura 2000 sites for the sustainable management of natural resources, improvement of ecosystem services and mitigation of and adaptation of climate change.
- Actions (preferably collaborative) undertaken to improve Natura 2000 sites with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change and/or co-ordinated, landscapescale, land or marine management activities for the sustainable management of natural resources and delivery of ecosystem services and multiple benefits.
- Research, technical advice and feasibility studies – It is important to ensure that the right activity is located in the right place to have the best results. Therefore modelling, technical advice and feasibility studies are eligible for funding providing they are directly supporting the capital investment.
- Monitoring and Asset Assurance – activities to demonstrate the outputs and potential outcomes of the capital investment, by monitoring the impacts, ensuring a baseline assessment is in place before action is taken and measuring the subsequent changes. The cost of an independent, asset assurance or impact assessment on the outputs of the capital activities is an eligible activity.
Eligibility Criteria
This scheme is open to applications from SMEs and large businesses, education or research establishments, charities, farmers, foresters, community or voluntary groups (inclusive of all non-government organisations). This includes associations of owners and community woodlands, trusts, national park authorities and local authorities.
For more information, visit https://gov.wales/sustainable-management-scheme-supporting-natura-2000-restoration-guidance-notes
