How farmers and landowners in England can access new grants for environmental improvements

The Capital Grants scheme for 2025 reopened earlier this month – offering financial support for everything from water quality and flood prevention to woodland management and ecological assessments. 

Managed by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) through the Countryside Stewardship scheme, the programme was paused towards the end of last year.

Now reopened, the grants offer targeted funding to farmers, landowners and land managers in England to deliver environmental benefits. 

Agreements will last for up to three years and there is a particular focus on smaller farms and high-impact projects.

Priority areas include: 

• Water quality – grants up to £25,000 
• Air quality – grants up to £25,000
• Natural flood management – grants up to £25,000 
• Boundaries, trees and orchards – grants up to £35,000
• Assessments (i.e. wildfire check lists) – no limit 
• Improvements (i.e. facilities for educational visits) – no limit 

Applicants can choose from a range of 78 items including hedge planting, fencing, tree surgery, pond creation and infrastructure – such as livestock and machinery hardcore tracks.

Additions designed to broaden impact

Four new capital items have been introduced for 2025, including measures to assess woodland conditions, create wildfire checklists, repair stone walls and provide access for educational visits.

These additions aim to broaden the scheme’s environmental and educational impact, with further details expected later in the summer via the capital grant finder tool.

Applications opened on 3 July, with guidance available online to help determine eligibility and identify appropriate projects. 

The funding is available to new applicants as well as those whose applications were paused during the temporary closure in late 2024. 

There is no deadline for applications; however, once the available spending pot of £150 million has been allocated, the scheme is expected to close. Demand is likely to be high, so we would encourage anyone interested to explore their options as soon as possible.

Further information

Contact Ella Rowe or Georgina Sweeting