New opportunity for supporting the wood and timber supply chain: South East Woodland and Timber Fund secured

£250,000 has been secured from now until the end of 2009-10 to strengthen the timber supply chain in the South East  - England's most wooded region. This follows several months of work between Forestry and Woodlands Partnership, SEEDA and the private sector to develop the South East Woodland and Timber Fund (SEWTF). SEWTF is a fund for the forestry and timber sector to secure the management of the South East's woodland through strengthening the supply chain and products available from the region's woodland. SEWFT will support the forestry and woodland sector to undertake direct and supporting activities to add value to medium and high grade timber, strengthen the timber supply chain, market its products, and examine emerging technologies for alternative uses of wood.

This fund is a delegated scheme funded by SEEDA, but will be managed by the Forestry and Woodlands Partnership (through the Forestry Commission) on behalf of the sector. SEWTF has now been agreed with SEEDA and the Forestry and Woodlands Partnership are seeking initial applications for the scheme for the limited amount of funding available this financial year. £38,000 is available this financial year – if successful applications total more than this, then they will be moved forward to next year. Initial applications need to be submitted by 15^th November 2007, with further rounds in the next financial year.

The fund focuses on work 'beyond the forest gate' including processing, and will be complimentary to the upcoming Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding supporting enhanced economic activities within the forest. It is open to the forestry, woodland and timber businesses of the South East, associated wood and timber-using industries and customers and public sector procurement. Grant availability ranges from £2500 to £30,000 for up to 50% of project costs.

For further details about the Fund and to discuss opportunities for potential projects

please call Jane Hull on 01296 696543 or jane.hull@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Notes:

1) The fund is modelled on the successful South West Woodland Renaissance

(http://www.silvanus.org.uk/woodland_renaissance.php ), where a peer reviewed fund

is available to the industry to bid into for projects.

2) The Forestry and Woodlands Partnership are the Steering Group of the Regional Forestry Framework "Seeing the Wood for the Trees", which is a regional policy statement setting out issues of importance for the woodland and forestry sector in the region. See www.seeingthewoodforthetrees.org.uk

3) The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. www.forestry.gov.uk

4) SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England. SEEDA's aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities, while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage. www.seeda.co.uk