Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Open
The state of Baden-Württemberg, through its "Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)" program, supports private and municipal forest owners in sustainably securing and developing forest functions in the public interest. It supports diverse measures, from initial afforestation and close-to-nature forest management to the remediation of extreme weather damage and the improvement of forestry infrastructure, to make forests future-proof.
Who is funded: Target Groups and Scope
The SFM funding program is aimed at private and municipal forest owners as well as recognized forestry associations in Baden-Württemberg. It aims to support the sustainable safeguarding and development of forest functions in the public interest and contributes to the implementation of European forest protection goals.
What is Funded: Measures and Eligible Costs
The Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) program supports a wide range of measures aimed at the ecological, economic, and social performance of forests. These include initial afforestation, close-to-nature forest management, improvements to forestry infrastructure, contractual nature conservation, remediation of extreme weather damage, and measures for protection and recreation in forests.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding within the framework of Sustainable Forest Management is primarily provided as a grant, either as percentage financing or as fixed-amount financing. The amount of the grant varies greatly depending on the specific measure and can be supplemented by EU co-financing. There is no absolute upper limit for the entire program, but specific maximum limits per project or measure.
Conditions and Requirements
Funding under the SFM program is tied to a series of legal, administrative, and operational conditions. These include compliance with environmental regulations, specific de minimis thresholds, cumulation rules for EU aid, and requirements for the implementation and documentation of measures.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for SFM funding is multi-stage and includes the submission of the application via the competent lower forest authority, an examination by the granting authority, and a prioritization procedure for certain EU co-financed measures. The funds are usually disbursed after submission of the proof of use.
Legal Basis
The "Administrative Regulation Sustainable Forest Management (VwV SFM)" forms the central legal basis for the funding program. It is supplemented by various state and EU laws and regulations that determine the aid rules and co-financing by European funds.
Funding Overview
Maximum Amount:
Varies by measure; up to €7,500,000 for certain investment projects
Deadline:
always open
Open Until:
31.12.2026
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
Sectors:
Agriculture and Agribusiness, Environmental and Climate Protection
Beneficiaries:
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
Funding Stages:
Implementation, Infrastructure, Planning, Capacity Building, Monitoring, Process Optimization
Funding Provider
Program Level: Regional
Funding Body: Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg, European Union, Federal Government
Managed By: Responsible lower forest authority in Baden-Württemberg, higher forest authority
Website: Untere Forstbehörden BW