Sustainable Forest Management in Forest Cooperatives

This funding program targets forest cooperatives in North Rhine-Westphalia that wish to manage their forest areas sustainably and utilize the services of qualified personnel. The overarching goal is to support independent, future-oriented forestry in community forests for the benefit of cooperative members and the general public.

Specific forestry measures for sustainable forest management, provided through consulting services, are funded. Services in the areas of planning, production, and biodiversity promotion are supported. However, measures for timber marketing or general administrative activities are excluded.

The program provides grants for eligible expenses within the framework of sustainable forest management. The funding amount is up to 90 percent of the eligible costs, with specific maximum amounts for personnel and a de minimis threshold to be observed. The maximum funding period for service contracts is five years, while the program itself runs until the end of 2026.

For the application and receipt of funding, forest cooperatives must meet certain legal and practical requirements. These include proof of statute approval, the location of forest areas in NRW, qualified personnel, an up-to-date forest management plan, adherence to specific management principles, and forest certification. In addition, de minimis regulations must be observed, and for larger grants, procurement regulations must be complied with.

The application for funding must be submitted in writing to the State Forest and Timber Enterprise North Rhine-Westphalia, and this must be done before the start of the measure. Specific documents must be enclosed, such as an extract from the land book and a de minimis declaration. The approving authority decides on the applications and can also approve an early start of the measure. Payment is made upon proof of activity and a list of receipts.

The funding is based on the "Guideline on the Granting of Subsidies for the Promotion of Sustainable Forest Management in Forest Cooperatives according to the Community Forest Act" of May 18, 2021. It is in line with various state and federal forestry laws as well as the administrative regulations for the State Budget Code and the EU de minimis regulations.