England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) supports the establishment of new woodlands and is administered by the Forestry Commission. EWCO is funded through the Nature for Climate Fund and gives greater recognition of the public benefits and ecosystem services provided by woodland. The program provides financial support to create new woodlands that combat climate change by storing carbon, contribute to nature recovery by creating new woodland habitat, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and provide climate change mitigation. Applicants can receive up to £10,200 per hectare to create the woodland. Additional payments of up to £12,700 are available if the woodland contributes to the local community, nature recovery or the environment. EWCO is one of a suite of Forestry Commission initiatives to support woodland creation and tree planting across England, encouraging the provision of public benefits and ecosystem services while supporting landowners with the capital costs of woodland creation. The program prioritizes combating climate change, contributing to nature recovery, improving water quality, reducing flood risk, creating woodlands close to people, increasing recreational access, and encouraging ammonia capture to protect sensitive sites. All landowners, land managers, and public bodies in England are eligible to apply for funding to create qualifying woodland areas.