Integrated Natural Resources Scheme: project delivery plan guidance

The Integrated Natural Resources Scheme – Project Delivery Grants will be available for between £250,000 and £1,000,000 to support the delivery of the project activities. 

INRS Project Delivery Plan application must be submitted via RPW Online no later than 31 March 2025. Plans will be assessed against the guidance and scoring criteria which projects will receive if successful in securing the Development Grant. They will also be assessed on the strategic fit against the requirements of the scheme outlined in the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme Guidance. 

Projects will be appraised using the evidence in the Project Delivery Plan and if they meet the minimum criteria for approval, subject to budget, applicants will be offered INRS Project Delivery Grant funding in merit order. 

 The scheme will support groups of farmers, foresters, graziers and other land managers to deliver projects with the support of other agencies such as Natural Resources Wales, environmental non-governmental organisations, charities, trusts and local and National Park authorities; to restore our natural features and processes, improve biodiversity and ecosystem resilience across individual holdings and the wider landscape.

There is potential to make a significant and positive impact through collaborative landscape scale projects and we want to support farmers and other land managers to develop plans together. Taking a collaborative and adaptable approach to support action at local level which makes space for nature alongside food production to meet the challenges of the climate and nature emergencies.

Before completing the Delivery Phase Plan, please read the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme Guidance.

 Details on how to complete the Project Delivery plan can be found at using RPW Online to submit an application.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they meet the following scheme requirements at the project delivery phase:

• any works carried out on land managed and/or owned must go beyond legal obligations and requirements
• projects must demonstrate they cannot proceed without support and that the project would not proceed without grant assistance
• projects must demonstrate the costs are not excessive for the nature of the activity involved
• projects must agree performance indicator targets at project delivery plan stage and demonstrate how they will monitor and what evidence will be provided
• projects must demonstrate legal compliance and financial viability
• projects must demonstrate long term sustainability
• projects must demonstrate support and show commitment to all collaborators
• projects must demonstrate they have good governance and project management
• projects must demonstrate that the amount of grant being asked for is the minimum gap funding necessary for the project to go ahead
• project applications must outline planning permission has been sought or obtained, where required all other consents, licences and permissions have been granted
• key staff must be recruited through fair and open competition
• compliance with minimum standards and legislative requirements regarding the environment, hygiene, animal welfare and health and safety standards; where appropriate and/or necessary
• projects must confirm that none of the items covered by the application are replacements under an insurance claim
• projects must provide confirmation that no other public funding has been sought for proposed activities
• any publicity given to the project must refer to the part played by Welsh Government in funding it

We provide a wide range of grant schemes to help deliver our policies and create a fairer, more prosperous Wales.

We will be data controller for any personal data you provide in relation to your grant application or request for grant funding. The information will be processed as part of our public task (i.e. exercising our official authority to undertake the core role and functions of the Welsh Government) and will help us assess your eligibility for funding.

Before we provide grant funding to you, we undertake checks for the purposes of preventing fraud and money laundering, and to verify your identity. These checks may require us to process personal data about you to third party fraud prevention agencies.

If we, or a fraud prevention agency, determine that you pose a fraud or money laundering risk, we may refuse to provide the grant funding you applied for, or we may stop providing existing grant funding to you.

A record of any fraud or money laundering risk will be retained by the fraud prevention agencies, and may result in others refusing to provide services, financing or employment to you.

To assess eligibility, we may also need to share personal information relating to your application with:

• Natural Resources Wales
• Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Veterinary Medicine Directorate
• Welsh Local Authorities
• Food Standards Agency Wales
• DEFRA
• other UK Government Agriculture Offices
• regulatory authorities, such as HM Revenue and Customs, Local Authorities, Health and Safety Executive and the Police

We may also share your information with organisations which deliver training, knowledge transfer and innovation advice and support on behalf of the Welsh Government for the purposes of appropriate targeting of support.

Your information, including your personal information, may be the subject of a request by another member of the public. When responding to such requests the Welsh Government may be required to release information, including your personal information, to fulfil its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Act 2004 or the Data Protection Act 2018.

We will publish details of the amounts paid to Rural Support beneficiaries. Data will be published for all beneficiaries and will include the name and locality of the farmer/land manager and details of the amounts and schemes for which grant funding has been paid. However, for those receiving less than the equivalent of £1,250 in grant funding the name will be withheld. The data will be published annually on 31 May and remain available for two years from the date it is published. 

We will keep personal information contained in files in line with our retention policy. If successful in your application, then your personal data will be kept for 10 years after the date of final payment. If you are unsuccessful your details will be kept for one year after the date you provided them.

Under the data protection legislation, you have the right:

• to access the personal data we hold on you
• to require us to rectify inaccuracies in that data
• to (in certain circumstances) object to or restrict processing
• for (in certain circumstances) your data to be ‘erased’, and
• to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is the independent regulator for data protection

For further details about the information Welsh Government holds and its use, or if you want to exercise your rights under the GDPR, please see contact details below:

Data Protection Officer
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff 
CF10 3NQ

Email: dataprotectionofficer@gov.wales

The contact details for the Information Commissioner’s Office are:

2nd Floor, 
Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HH

Telephone: 0330 414 6421

Website: https://ico.org.uk/

Should you have any queries regarding this privacy statement please contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre.

Rural grants and payments: privacy notice

Successful Project Development phase applicants will have been subject to eligibility checks and offered grant funding to support the development of an Integrated Natural Resources (INR) project delivery plan. The scheme eligibility details are listed below.  

Group eligibility 

The INRS Delivery phase is open to groups and partnerships who successfully applied for the INRS Project Development and want to come together to deliver landscape, catchment or national scale projects supporting the objectives and outcomes detailed in this guidance. 

Collaborative groups must involve a minimum of 2 farm businesses who must be undertaking agricultural activities. In addition to the 2 farm businesses, a minimum of one other individual or organisation must form part of the collaboration. This may include other farmers, land managers, landowners or foresters with management control of land within a landscape or a public body; environmental Non-Government Organisations; local authorities, charities, trusts, private investors, businesses or another supporting organisations.

Agricultural Activity is defined as:

• the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products including harvesting, milking, breeding animals and keeping animals for farming purposes
• maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries. In Wales, this means the control of non-native invasive weeds and scrub 
• carrying out a minimum activity on agricultural areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation. In Wales, agricultural areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation are defined as areas of saltmarsh and sand dunes. The minimum activity required is that the area is grazed to a minimum average annual stocking density of 0.01 to 0.05 livestock units per hectare, or the control of non-native invasive weeds and scrub

Successful Development Stage applicants including the following are invited to apply for INRS delivery phase grant funding: 

• the lead applicant can apply on behalf of a collaboration or group
• new and existing groups or partnerships who have formed a legal entity and governance structure
• a facilitator or contractor working on behalf of a group

The applicant for the INRS delivery grant funding must be a legal entity with the required governance structures and financial compliance required to manage grant funding. 

If the group has no formal structure and is being supported by a lead organisation an internal agreement must be maintained as part of development of the INRS project delivery plan, signed by all the parties to the application. 

This should:

• specify the expression of agreement to proceed
• set out intentions of will and obligations, and
• define the role and responsibilities placed on each person, persons or organisation within the group

A copy of this internal agreement must be submitted with the INRS Project Delivery Plan.

Land eligibility

All land must be in Wales. 

The 2 farm businesses must have their land registered with RPW.

All land types will be eligible for proposed action, including land inside or outside protected and designated areas, common land and shared grazing. 

Land can be under a variety of management arrangements or current use – including agriculture and forestry.  This can include land managed solely for environmental benefit provided it is within a wider project area encompassing the agricultural landscape.  For example, an SSSI ancient woodland within a catchment scale project. 

Land which is under an existing Agri-environment scheme, or any other agreement/grant award or is intended to be in the future, is eligible to be part of a collaborative project, however, any activities or management proposed must be over and above the requirements in those existing agreements/grant awards. 

If the project or any proposed activity within an application has the potential to impact, a protected site you must ensure that you have the relevant, consents, permissions, and licences for example an SSSI. You can check if land includes or is next to a protected site at Find protected areas of land and sea (on Natural Resources Wales). The proposed activity and type of designation will determine who to contact and what consents or permissions are required. If the project proposals are on designated land, you are required to submit evidence of engagement or correspondence with NRW within your application. 

All land proposed for the scheme must be under the management control of collaborating partners. Collaborating partners must have full management control and security of tenure of the land within your application for the full period of the proposals (including any durability or maintenance requirements). If you do not have full control of the land, you must get the written consent of all other parties who have management control of the land for and include evidence of approval with your application or have a countersignature to the application from the landowner(s) / landlord or relevant body.  

Where the project may include land occupied by one or more tenant farmers, evidence should be provided that shows those tenant farmers have been willingly included in the collaboration and decision-making process without non-consensual changes to their tenancy rights or agreements.

Common land

For common land applications, the landowner must be part of/or provide consent to the INRS agreement.

Common land is eligible under the INRS, applications for activity on common land must be supported by the written consent of the landowner for any actions which differ from the registered rights over the area of common land in question. The application must also clearly identify which actions require formal consent under the Commons Act 2006 or other relevant legislation together with those actions which do not. If formal consent is required, the applicant should identify which consent is required and the likely timescale to achieve the necessary permissions. 

Applications on common land which do not include all parties with a legal interest over any part of the area of the application must clearly set out in the application how the objectives and outcomes of the proposal with be achieved and not compromised by not having all those with a legal interest involved. 

The Project Delivery Plan will be made available on your RPW Online account, once the Grant Award for the Development Phase has been accepted. 

You will be given until 31 March 2025 to submit the Project Delivery Plan and supporting documents via your RPW Online account. The How to Complete booklet provides instructions on how to do this.

In the Delivery plan applicants will need to respond to questions based on:

• business / organisation details
• the project
• the collaboration
• strategic fit
• project delivery
• value for money
• financials and compliance
• complementary funding
• long term sustainability
• risk and risk management
• indicators and outcomes
• cross cutting themes

The application will ask you to explain how your project will contribute towards the Welsh Government's cross cutting themes of:

• Equality of Opportunity and Gender Mainstreaming
• Sustainable Development
• Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Promotion of the Welsh Language
• Children’s Rights

You will be asked to select the most applicable indicators and outcomes that will be achieved as a result of your project. The indicators and outcomes will be monitored and you will be required to confirm progress of the project when interim claims are submitted.

In addition to completing the Project Delivery plan online you will need to submit the following supporting documentation online for appraisal by the Welsh Government by 31 March 2025.

Maps

Provide a map to identify the location of the project and the key activities.

Financial documentation

• 3 years of certified accounts for the lead applicant organisation. (If the lead organisation has recently been established, state this and submit any management accounts available).
• 3 years financial projections for the project lead applicant. (Include all project expenditure, grant instalment forecasts plus any other grants being received. Evidence of non grant funding if any included with the proposal to enable project cost defrayment and if the grant request is less than 100%).
• If your project includes your own funds and/or any match funding, you must describe what this is and attach details including value, terms and source(s) of match funding.

Organisation structure

 If the group has no formal structure and is being supported by a lead organisation an internal agreement must be signed by all parties and submitted with the INRS project delivery plan.

This should:

• specify the expression of agreement to proceed,
• set out intentions of will and obligations, and
• define the role and responsibilities placed on each person, persons or organisation within the group.

Management control

If you do not have full control of the land, you must provide written consent of all other parties who have management control of the land.

Designated/protected sites

If your project or any proposed activity on your application is on, or has the potential to impact, a protected site such as a SSSI, you must ensure that you have the relevant consents, permissions or support and submit these with your application.

Common land

For common land applications, activity on common land must be supported by the written consent of the landowner for any actions which differ from the registered rights over the area of common land in question.

If any of the information is not provided by 31 March 2025, this may result in your application being rejected.

The Assessment will not commence until the application and all of the supporting documentation has been received by the Welsh Government. You may provide other documentation and evidence in addition to the above to support your application.

The project delivery plan contains a number of questions you will be required to answer.  Detailed below is an indication of the information which should be included.

Project Delivery Phase applications must demonstrate and evidence how the project will deliver actions that make a difference to a range of priorities and commitments set out in legislation, policies or national and local plans.

Please ensure that you select at least four outcomes from the list of 18 below: 

• improving air quality
• improving water quality
• maintaining and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide
• improving biodiversity and connectivity to protected sites across a landscape and/or non-adjacent habitats (for example in relation to a section 7 species)
• Invasive Non Native Species management and removal across a landscape, regional or national level
• climate adaption
• maximising resource efficiency
• mitigating flood and drought risks
• conserving and enhancing landscapes (priority and semi-natural habitats) and the historic environment
• helping rural communities to thrive and strengthening links between agricultural businesses and their communities
• sustaining the Welsh language and promoting and facilitating its use
• maximising carbon sequestration and storage
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
• achieving and promoting high standards of animal health and welfare 
• encouraging the production of food in an environmentally sustainable manner
• improving the resilience of agricultural businesses
• maintaining and enhancing public access to and engagement with the countryside and the historic environment
• encouraging agricultural business to manage energy effectively (by adopting energy efficiency and energy saving practises and generating renewable energy on their land)

Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)

The following principles for the sustainable management of natural resources are set out in the Environment Act (Wales) 2016:

• Manage adaptively by planning monitoring, reviewing and where appropriate, changing action
• Consider the appropriate spatial scale for action
• Promote and engage in collaboration and cooperation
• Make appropriate arrangements for public participation in decision-making
• Take account of all relevant evidence, and gather evidence in respect of uncertainties
• Take account of the benefits and intrinsic value of natural resources and ecosystems
• Take action to prevent serious or irreversible damage to ecosystems
• Take account of the short, medium and long term consequences of actions
• Take account of the resilience of ecosystems, in particular:

-    Diversity within and between ecosystems
-    The connections between and within ecosystems
-    The scale of ecosystems
-    The condition of ecosystems
-    The adaptability of ecosystems

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they have considered each of the principles of SMNR in relation to their project and how they are applying the principles both in the planning and delivery of their proposed activities. Further guidance on the principles and the wider priorities in managing Wales’s natural resources can be found in the Wales Natural Resources Policy Actions addressing climate change

Projects will score high if they demonstrate and evidence it will have a lasting positive impact for environmental, social, cultural, and economic well-being. This includes actions that allow the landscape to adapt to climate change or mitigate for its effects. Applicants should describe where project activities address climate change both locally and globally giving details as to the proposed outcomes. 

A project focus can be a local or national priority such as a nature-based solution, increasing renewable energy, or resource efficiency. It may take a place-based approach and have several landscapes across Wales linked by the priority. Examples of a projects in a continuous landscape could be:

• several neighbouring farms working together with organisations to target action on a main river catchment
• several farms or areas within the buffer of a protected site or designated area
• adjoining farms in our coastal areas
• adjoining farms within large upland unenclosed areas e.g. commons
• a group of neighbouring farmers managing lowland farmland to support breeding and nesting habitats for priority species, or
• several landscapes of different farm types but all linked through a priority needing strategic planning at scale: for example, tackling local or national challenges related to animal health, access, invasive non-native species or strategic tree planting at scale

Innovative approaches

Projects should be ambitious with proposals for innovative trials or pilot activity linked to the scheme objectives, the landscape, or its challenges running alongside traditional sustainable land management activities. We anticipate projects will be well-placed to secure private investment to complement public funding. 

Alongside the direct land management interventions, projects are encouraged, if relevant to the focus of the project and the scheme objectives, to propose plans to access sector support, knowledge transfer and training, and to explore wider opportunities for holdings participating in the projects, for example:

• training in new on-farm technologies, including recycling and renewable green energy technologies
• identifying diversification opportunities covering timber, horticulture and agriculture
• training and skills development, including traditional land management practices with heritage and/or cultural value
• bench marking, reporting and working towards net zero, or
• accessing other industry support as a collaborative group

Projects should, through collaborative working, facilitate, plan and coordinate activity at scale; and will be encouraged to link with other initiatives if relevant to their landscape. If applicable, proposing activities across individual farms to further support the INRS projects’ objectives and deliver wider outcomes and benefits to farm businesses. Sign posting to Welsh Government and other support, such as complementary grants and initiatives for individual farm businesses which lead to delivering the aims and focus for the landscape and wider outcomes and benefits. 

INRS delivery grant will provide revenue and capital funding directly linked to project activities. This also includes ongoing seasonal activities to bed in and establish any improvements. Any activities carried out should be aligned to existing schemes requirements, and could include: 

• tree planting and the establishment of active woodland management
• restoring and creating hedgerows
• invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) removal and eradication
• natural flood risk management (NFRM) interventions
• enhancing and creating wetland through re-wetting measures and supporting ponds, lakes, reed beds and fens
• enhancing and creating riparian habitat and in-river restoration
• enhancing upland and unenclosed habitat & peatland
• enhancing and creating lowland habitat
• enhancing and creating diverse grassland - increasing diversity within improved grassland and introducing multi species leys, restoring traditional hay meadows, creating wild bird, wildlife and pollinator strips and plots
• traditional boundary restoration, stone walls, earth banks and slate fences
• improving access to the countryside through upgrading/enhancing public paths, open access land and green spaces
• targeted measures to support the recovery and reintroduction of particular wildlife species, Environment (Wales) Act 2016 – Section 7 Lists of Habitats & Species of Principle Importance to Wales such as creating and establishing nesting and feeding habitat; including unavoidable predatory controls to support those species as part of the wider landscapes scale actions
• targeted measures to improve water quality and soil health reducing agricultural pollution, minimising use of pesticides and herbicides through integrated pest and nutrient management

Alongside the land management activities, The INRS can: 

• develop clusters of farmers and land managers and support those collaborations to enable action and facilitate support networks and links with other initiatives if relevant to their landscape
• enable groups to access and participate in training, skills development, and innovation not freely available elsewhere. To build capacity for farmers through their partnerships and projects, providing access to support and opportunities across the private sector such as financial, business, and ecological and across a range of areas such as skills, food and supply chain and diversification opportunities. These must be linked to their project activities, for example training in new on farm technologies, including recycling and renewable green energy technologies, soil health and agricultural pollution, sustainable grazing, and nature friendly farming techniques
• ensure good governance and project management is available to successfully manage large landscape scale projects and to provide groups with the cost of skills development and capacity building
• support the co-ordination of activities that deliver for the project and scheme objectives on individual farms, accessing existing grants available to individual farmers to improve energy efficiency, explore diversification and to reduce agricultural pollution, complementing the INRS projects activities
• provide the targeting and co-ordination of the enhancement of priority and high value semi-natural habitats, managed by individual farmers within an INRS project. On completion of the enhancement of the habitats, farmers would be encouraged to join SFS to bring that habitat into active management through individual farm business agreements
• provide support for projects to secure private investment to complement public funding
• provide capital and revenue support for pilot or experimental work directly linked to the focus of the project; and meeting the objectives identified in the scheme literature 
• support for collaborative pilot projects for the development of new products, practices, processes, methodologies and technologies in the agriculture and forestry sectors linked to sustainable land management

Value for money considerations must be central to all decisions involving the use of public money to deliver Welsh Government policy. Value for money is about achieving the best possible level of outcomes/outputs of acceptable quality at the lowest cost. 

Applicants will select the Standard Cost and Standard Salary items which will help to demonstrate how the project’s activities will deliver value for money. The applicant can also select Non Standard Cost items and explain how the costs of the project are considered to be reasonable taking into account the scope, scale and timescale of the proposals. All costs must be directly linked to the project activities. 

When selecting Non-Standard costs, your proposal should include:

• a breakdown of all the costs associated with the project an explanation of how the costs of the project are considered to be reasonable (taking into account the scope, scale and timescale of the proposals);

For its project grants, Welsh Government allows for costs to be included on a full cost recovery basis utilising the standard costs where appropriate.  When Third sector organisations are the lead organisation for the project, the conditions of the Welsh Government apply.

Staff salary costs for people that are directly engaged in animation, implementation and/or project delivery, on a full or part time basis, are eligible. 

The list below shows the eligible Standard Staff roles and definitions (as per SOC2020 guidance):

• Administrative and secretarial occupations - A good standard of general education.  Certain occupations will require further additional vocational training to a well-defined standard (e.g. office skills).
• Associate professional and technical occupations - An associated high-level vocational qualification, often involving a substantial period of full-time training or further study.  Some additional task-related training is usually provided through a formal period of induction.
• Elementary occupations - Occupations classified at this level will usually require a minimum general level of education (that is, that which is acquired by the end of the period of compulsory education). Some occupations at this level will also have short periods of work-related training in areas such as health and safety, food hygiene, and customer service requirements.
• Managers, directors and senior officials - A significant amount of knowledge and experience of the production processes and service requirements associated with the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses.
• Professional occupations - A degree or equivalent qualification, with some occupations requiring postgraduate qualifications and/or a formal period of experience-related training.
• Skilled trades occupations - A substantial period of training, often provided by means of a work based training programme.
• Administrative occupations - A good standard of general education.  Certain occupations will require further additional vocational training to a well-defined standard (e.g. office skills). 
• Business and public service associate professionals - An associated high-level vocational qualification, often involving a substantial period of full-time training or further study.  Some additional task-related training is usually provided through a formal period of induction.
• Corporate managers and directors - A significant amount of knowledge and experience of the production processes and service requirements associated with the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses.
• Other managers and proprietors – A significant amount of knowledge and experience of the production processes and service requirements associated with the efficient functioning of organisations and businesses.
• Skilled agricultural and related trades - A substantial period of training, often provided by means of a work based training programme.

The rates below are the standard average Office of National Statistics rates for 2023 in Wales:

All costs must be directly linked to project activities which support the aims and focus of the project. Where Welsh Government has a standard cost for an activity/item as part of current schemes, and if that activity is being delivered on individually owned or managed land, the INRS project will be offered those standard costs. Standard costs, where available, will be applied for most actions and interventions on individual holdings. Standard Cost specifications are available in the Scheme Technical Specification Guidance document.

Bespoke activity for environmental benefit and interventions which are primarily delivering public goods and where a standard cost is not available will require you to obtain quotes for work (following competitive tendering and public procurement rules) on an actual cost basis. This will be up to 100% funded on a cost incurred basis, where it is directly linked to environmental gain and not linked to private commercial gain or primary production. 

Capital items or machinery directly linked to project activities may be eligible if the project can demonstrate they contribute to the focus of the project, leading to significant outcomes and offer good value for money. These will be reviewed on a project-by-project basis and if deemed eligible a contribution to those costs may be made on that basis. High-cost capital items or machinery linked to primary production or commercial activity are not eligible.

Staff salary costs for people that are directly engaged in animation, implementation and/or project delivery, on a full or part time basis, are eligible.

Facilitation and implementation: costs for people, including associated costs such as travel and subsistence. This can include the costs incurred by businesses or organisations for establishment and subsequent delivery of the collaborative activities.

Mentoring: costs for people who can provide specialised support to organisations and groups to help them develop their own skills and expertise within the context of project activities.

Training: costs to support collaborations and partnerships to undertake training that cannot be provided through any other route.

Communication and dissemination: costs to support the communication of the proposed project activities which support the aims and focus of the project; dissemination of information amongst the external stakeholder communities; ongoing communication within and between groups and final dissemination of the outcomes of collaborative projects.

Evaluation: the cost of having an independent, external evaluation of the project is eligible. A key outcome of the INRS is to learn lessons and record experiences of the participants that have been engaged to help to shape future programmes and projects linked to the INRS objectives. An evaluation must be costed and included as part of all delivery phase projects plans. All reporting is to be provided to Welsh Government on completion.

Professional fees, consultant’s fees, technical costs, ecological and hydrological site surveys and fees related to environmental and economic sustainability; planning application fees and costs; fees incurred for statutory permissions, licences and consents are also eligible.  

Support may also be given for the development and research, technical advice and feasibility studies directly linked to project activities that support the aims and focus of the project and the scheme objectives; and the development of techniques and methods which are essentially adaptations of existing technologies to situations where they are not currently used but directly deliver for project and scheme outcomes.

Please note: Any habitat and woodland that is created or enhanced under INRS will be eligible under the Sustainable Farming Scheme and will count towards the Universal requirements for habitat and woodland. Farmers who have carried out appropriate works to support habitat or have increased their on-farm tree cover as part of an INRS project can benefit through SFS. There is no disadvantage to them. 

The financial and compliance obligations required by the Welsh Government include maintaining accurate financial and accounting records, preparing annual accounts, and adhering to statutory obligations and activities. You are required to explain how you as the applicant intend to meet the financial and compliance obligations required for the delivery of the project. You must also outline the staff costs associated with all roles and responsibilities which are set out in your eligible Staff Costs where applicable to the project. The need of grant for the specific amount requested should be outlined in the application and you are required to explain the mechanisms for distributing grant funding for project delivery where collaborative members will be contributing towards the outcomes within your project.

Capital Costs under INRS can cover:  

• the purchase of items associated with land management activities, such as trees, hedge plants, fencing and capital works items required to deliver the outcomes
• general costs incurred in installing the capital works, which include contractor costs for labour and use of equipment
• acquisition or development of computer software and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks

In addition, Capital items or machinery directly linked to project activities may be eligible if the project can demonstrate they contribute to the focus of the project, leading to significant outcomes and offer good value for money. These will be reviewed on a project-by-project basis and if deemed eligible a contribution to those costs may be made on that basis. High-cost capital items or machinery linked to primary production or commercial activity are not eligible

Revenue Costs under INRS can cover:

• Revenue costs for the administration in setting up and running a collaborative group.
•  Revenue costs to support the communication of the proposed collaborative activities.
•  Running costs of a project, including staff costs and rent for premises.
• Consultant’s and architect’s fees, other technical design costs, site surveys and professional fees such as fees related to environmental and economic sustainability; planning application fees and costs; fees incurred for statutory permissions, licences and consents are also eligible if they have been obtained prior to approval and not before the 20 August 2024, provided they are essential for the delivery of the project.  The fee’s may be classed as Capital expenditure if directly related to asset creation. 

An approved INRS project delivery cannot receive funding for activities or works that are currently being funded by other schemes or programmes unless the INRS activity or management is over and above the existing requirement. 

A project cannot receive funding for like for like replacements of previously funded activities/items unless it’s a continuation of management or further enhancement or restoration of those activities and was not a requirement of the original grant to do so. 

Land within an INRS project proposal may be part of and include other programmes or schemes that enhance or complement the project outcomes, but separation must be clearly defined identifying which activities are funded through each programme scheme and any activities or management must be over and above the requirements of the existing contracts.

Match funding applies to third party funding only and does not include any contribution of your own funds to the project. If your project includes your own funds and/or any match funding, you must describe what this is and attach details including value, terms and source(s) of match funding with your full application at Project Delivery Phase.

Where you are applying to fund an item or activity for which there is no equivalent standard cost, you will need to follow our Competitive tendering and public procurement rules and obtain quotes for the work on an actual cost basis. 

Our guidance and requirements for Competitive Tendering are available at Rural grants: competitive tendering guidance.

This scheme is designed to be a standalone scheme and the delivery should not be critically dependent on another project and or funding source.  However there may be complimentary programmes of work that will enhance or improve the functioning of the project or its outcomes. This may be in the form of a complimentary scheme, funding for additional project actions and/or 'in kind' contributions from partners.  it is important you set these out as they support the viability, sustainability, added value and additionality your project has within the scope or geographical area. 

Woodland creation plans 

If the approved project includes the planting of woodland, projects must submit, an application to the Woodland Planning Scheme to have their Woodland Planting proposal assessed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). If approved, the planting would be approved to be undertaken as part of the Woodland Creation Planting Scheme for the following 5 years. Full Scheme Guidance can be found at Woodland Creation Planning Scheme: rules booklet

Peatland 

Peatlands cover only 3 - 4% of Wales yet store in the region of 30% of all soil carbon. Peatlands in good condition regulate water flow by slowing and storing water in winter and releasing it in drier spells over the summer; they reduce wildfire risk; capture and store carbon; and support a range of important habitats and species. Peatlands form at 1mm per year so a 1m depth of peat represents over a thousand years of carbon storage. 

The National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) provides a structure to coordinate, monitor and report on peatland restoration and condition for Wales. National Peatlands Action Programme (on Natural Resources Wales). 

An application to the INRS which contains peatland restoration must align its proposals with the NPAP priority themes and terms and conditions. Approved projects must apply to NPAP and the peatland restoration element will form part of that scheme. 

For projects which will include actions requiring Woodland Creation or NPAP support, there will be information transfer between schemes at the application stage to reduce the overhead to an INRS applicant utilising multiple schemes. Successful applicants at the end of the development phase will be made aware of these details.

The INRS application requires details about the sustainability of your project beyond the project timeframe including an Exit Strategy following the completion of the grant. In this section you are expected to set out your approach to sustaining delivery and future management and how you will explore potential resourcing and financing options for continuing delivery after the grant completes. This can include details of any Project collaborators, business sector partners (e.g. PES, Corporate Social Responsibility, volunteering and team building opportunities, sponsorship, tourism opportunities etc.), alternative funding sources, mainstreaming into other provisions and community asset transfer and community volunteering.

Successful applicants must identify and outline any potential risks, however unlikely, to assist in complete management of the project. Outline at least 5 risks that might affect the delivery of the project and the achievement of outputs and objectives of the project giving a brief description, likelihood, effect and proposed mitigation. This will allow successfully applicant to monitor and avoid any issues relating to project delivery.        

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is built around four objectives which celebrate the key contributions our agricultural industry makes to Wales. The objectives capture the sustainable production of food and other goods while also addressing the declared climate and nature emergencies and recognising the key role farmers play in the environmental and cultural health of Wales.

The four SLM objectives are: 

• to produce food and other goods in a sustainable manner
• to mitigate and adapt to climate change; 
• to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide; and,
• to conserve and enhance the countryside and cultural resources and promote public access to and engagement with them, and to sustain the Welsh language and promote and facilitate its use. 

The Interim Activity Indicators will be used to measure progress towards achieving the SLM objectives through the exercise of the functions to which the SLM duty applies, and to establish the link between the intervention and its purpose (e.g. What has all the interventions delivered against Welsh Governments high level priorities; to include net zero, biodiversity, farm viability, socio resilience, Welsh language etc.)

Activity within this scheme will also support the development of processes, methodologies and approaches to inform the continuing development of a collaborative element of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, including gathering more evidence about the effectiveness of interventions at both a farm and landscape management scale.

Key members of the collaborations will be required to engage with Welsh Government and our representatives at the start of project delivery. Welsh Government and our representatives will be monitoring and evaluating how projects have implemented baselining and how they have captured the current condition of the landscape and work with projects to support a consistent approach to monitoring, baselining and assessing impact to evaluate effectively.

Welsh Government and our representatives will, offer peer to peer learning and create a network of INRS collaborative groups to share knowledge and to support the development of networks and to provide recommendations in the support of future  programmes.

The cross cutting themes are intended to add value, raise awareness and understanding while ensuring maximum participation and mitigating adverse INRS impacts. This should help operations move beyond compliance and develop systems which support best practice.

As an integrated project, there are expected to be actions that support the Cross Cutting Themes required from all Welsh Government funding mechanisms.  It is essential that any project would be able to identify actions that deliver outcomes supporting at least 3 of the cross cutting themes listed below:

• Equality of Opportunity and Gender Mainstreaming
• Sustainable Development
• Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Promotion of the Welsh Language
• Children’s Rights

The project delivery plan will be appraised in accordance with Scheme Guidance and eligibility rules. It will be subject to due diligence, appraisal and eligibility checks and only at that point will a final decision be made to offer a grant or reject the plan. There is no guarantee that a project plan will be approved for a grant.

We will aim to complete the appraisal of the plan within 90 days of the plan submission deadline. If you delay replying to requests for further information the application will be rejected. 

The information provided will be assessed against the following rating criteria from which a decision can be taken about the award of grant to the project:

• high - the applicant has provided robust and detailed responses against all of the evidence requirements.
• medium - the applicant has provided satisfactory responses against most of the evidence requirements..
• low - the applicant has provided potentially incomplete or insufficient responses against one or more of the evidence requirements.

The quality threshold is a rating of medium across all categories.

Please note, we recommend you follow the guidance carefully in order to provide the information requested within the delivery plan.

On completion of the appraisal, the application and appraisal findings will be assessed by a panel made up of Welsh Government officials. This is to ensure the project meets the objectives of the scheme and represents value for money.

There are 3 possible outcomes from the project delivery plan appraisal:

a. your project is not eligible for the grant. You will be informed of the reasons why your application was not successful via your RPW Online account

b. Your project is eligible for consideration but is not approved for an award. You will be informed of the reasons why your application was not successful. You may apply again with the same project in any future window, but only if you have not started work.

c. Your project is eligible and is approved for an award. A Grant Approval letter will be issued to you setting out the terms and conditions of the award via your RPW Online account, which you will be asked to accept within 30 days as agreement you accept the terms and conditions therein.  The Grant Award will also provide you with the authority to start work. You will need to accept or decline the Award within 30 days. Failure to accept the award within 30 days will lead to the offer being withdrawn.

We will issue a reminder via your RPW Online account prior to the acceptance deadline.

Full details of when your contract must be accepted and the deadline for claims will be in the Grant Award Letter.

If you accept your Grant Award Letter you will also be required to complete a delivery profile to confirm when you will be making claims and the value.

If, after being selected, you decide not to proceed with your Grant Award or fail to accept the Grant Award within the time permitted, you may not be able to apply for INR in the future. If you decide to withdraw prior to complete the work or if you do not complete all the work approved under your Grant Award, you may not be able to apply for INR in the future.

Subject to the requirements of the Welsh Government ‘s Code of Practice on Public Access to Information, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004: all information given to the Welsh Government will be treated in strict confidence. You should be aware that if successful, the Welsh Government reserve the right to publish the name of the company and the amount of grant awarded along with a summary of the project.

We (Welsh Government) want to work with organisations who are proud of their reputation what they deliver, and their conduct. The following link will direct you to guidance which is designed to highlight and clarify the types of behaviours, cultures and values Welsh Government expects to see ‘lived out’ by its grant recipients.

Welsh Government expectations of grant recipients [HTML] | GOV.WALES

Starting work

You must not start work until you have been offered a Grant Award. If you do start work, the Welsh Government may reject the work started or terminate the Award and recover payment made.

Conditions of grant

The INRS is subject to a range of relevant legislation (see Section M). Welsh Government and the applicant/recipient must act in accordance with that legislation.

The offer of a INRS project delivery grant is made subject to terms and conditions, which will be set out in full in your grant approval letter and include those set out below. The grant award period will from the date the award is issued to 31 March 2028.

Failure to meet the terms and conditions of the award could result in the cancellation of your award and/or the recovery of sums already paid, or a reduction of the amount of grant payable.

The award is made on the basis of statements and declarations made by you or your representatives in the application form and the claim form and any subsequent correspondence. The making of false or misleading statements is an offence. 

You must not begin any work on the project without first obtaining written authority to do so from Welsh Government.  

You must meet any legal obligations imposed and UK law.

No alterations may be made to the project, including the location of the activity, without the written approval of Welsh Government.

The applicant is required to comply with the rules on eligible costs as detailed in the scheme guidance notes.

Projects should be completed within the timetable agreed with Welsh Government. You should not deviate from this without prior written agreement from Welsh Government.

Claims must be submitted via the RPW online Contract claim form and supported by all supporting documents as required by the scheme.

The first claim must be submitted no later than 6 months from the contract start date.

If the first claim is not made within this period, the grant offer may be automatically terminated.

Claims must be submitted in accordance with the timetable set out in the grant award letter. You must not deviate from the agreed timing and value of your claims without prior written agreement from Welsh Government.

You must provide confirmation that no other public funding (whether from EU or UK sources) has been sought. If it is found that you have received public funding from another source your claim may be rejected, payments may be recovered, and penalties may be applied.

Records concerning the application and claim for this grant, including all original invoices and any other related documents, must be retained for at least seven years after the project end date.

You must allow representatives of Welsh Government, the Auditor General for Wales or their representatives to inspect the project. On request, you must provide them with information and / or access to original documentation in relation to the project.

The information provided in the application and any supporting documentation is subject to the requirements of the Welsh Government’s Code of Practice on Public Access to Information, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

You should be aware that, if successful, we reserve the right to publish the name of your business or company, the amount of grant you were awarded and a summary of your project.

The information provided in the application is subject to the privacy notice. The privacy notice explains our processing and use of your personal data and your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

You must follow our Rural grants: competitive tendering guidance.

Quotes will be required for the non-standard costs.  If these quotes have not been submitted with the application, you will be required to submit them via a ‘Quote Submission Form’ on RPW Online.  The quotes will be checked, and once satisfactory the relevant items will become claimable on the Contract claim form on your RPW Online account.

Claims

The INRS is only available to claim using the Contract claim form on your RPW Online account. Payment will be made following the successful validation of your claim. 

You may make interim claims during the period of your project. The Contract Claim form how to complete Guide explains how to claim. 

Payment will be made following the successful validation of your claim. Claims will be paid when the Welsh Government are satisfied the relevant expenditure has taken place and the work has been completed in accordance to the Grant Award. Payment will be made by electronic transfer to your bank account.

The first claim must be submitted no later than 6 months from the Grant Award start date. If the first claim is not made within this period, the grant offer may be automatically terminated.

Final claims for payment of grant should be submitted as soon as possible after the physical work on the project has been completed and no later than the contract end date. All final claims must be received no later than 31 March 2028.

No extension to the final claim deadline will be granted beyond 31 March 2028.

Failure to complete the project and submit the final claim by the above deadline may result in the grant paid to date being recovered.

Projects MUST be completed within the timetable agreed with Welsh Government. You cannot change this without written agreement from Welsh Government.

During the lifetime of the grant, when claims are submitted, they may be scrutinised to ensure expenditure is eligible and in line with that approved in the original application.

In order to receive INRS project delivery payment you must:

• have accepted the INRS project delivery award within 30 calendar days of the offer date and adhere to all the requirements
• ensure that you have only undertaken the work listed in the “Purposes” of your Grant Award Letter.
• ensure that by the end of your Award, you have completed the project as was set out in your application and approved
• Ensure you have complied with the Welsh Government Competitive Tendering requirements 
• ensure all investments are on the premises at the time you submit your claim
• submit the claim using the contract claim form on your RPW Online account by the claim deadline – 31 March 2028
• we will issue a maximum of 2 reminders for any outstanding claims via your RPW Online account prior to the closing date

Supporting documentation at claim

You must submit the following with each claim:

• evidence of defrayment of expenditure for all claimed items
• invoices for all claimed items
• submit timesheets as evidence for the worked hours along with evidence of defrayment

Invoices must clearly display the word ‘invoice’ on the document and include the following:

• a unique identification number
• your company name, address, and contact information
• the invoicing company name and address
• a clear description of what you are being charged for
• the date the goods or service were provided (supply date)
• the date of the invoice
• the amount(s) being charged
• VAT amount if applicable
• the total amount owed

Defrayment should be evidenced by bank statements. If the value of the transaction does not match the invoice value (for instance if you have bought non project items from the same supplier), a breakdown of the whole payment with supporting invoices will be required.

If making payments by cheque, then a scan or photograph of the written cheque, before it is presented to the supplier, will be required in addition to the bank statement.

You can submit the invoices, quotes, and evidence of defrayment by scanning them and sending them via “My Messages” in your RPW Online account.

A claim is not considered valid unless it has been submitted via the Contract claim form and until all supporting documentation has been submitted.

You can submit your claim at any time once the work has been completed.  

It is essential that if you have any doubts about anything that you need for your project that you request written confirmation of its eligibility before you incur the costs.

Payments are normally made in arrears (i.e. after the grant recipient has incurred the expenditure); however, it is recognised that some Third Sector organisations do not hold large reserves and do not have the resources available to undertake work and receive payment afterwards. Therefore, provision of funding for committed expenditure may be considered in advance of payment, but only where evidence of need is clearly established. 

It is your responsibility to make sure the claim submitted is eligible and accurate, it is only for defrayed expenditure (the money has gone from your bank account), all the items and costs are eligible, and the claim is submitted on time.

All the activity/costs incurred must be after the contract has been offered, unless for specific items where it has been agreed these costs can be included and are detailed in the Grant Award letter.

Your claim is incorrect if:

• you have undertaken activity / incurred costs before the contract is offered, unless for specific items where it has been agreed these costs can be included and are detailed in the Grant Award letter
• by the end of the period of the grant award you have not completed the project as it was approved
• you have not submitted a claim and supporting documents by the claim deadline
• not all of the investments claimed are present at a visit to your premises
• investments are not undertaken in accordance with the Welsh Government Competitive tendering requirements

If the claim is incorrect then your claim will be reduced to the amount that is eligible and the grant to be paid will be calculated accordingly. However, if the error is more than 10% of the total amount claimed then a financial penalty will be applied. The amount of eligible expenditure will be reduced by the amount of the error and so the final amount of grant to be paid will be lower than expected.

If you do not complete investments in accordance with the Welsh Government Competitive Tendering and Procurement requirements penalties may be applied to your claim/s

Changes to an approved project

A project change or re-evaluation is the process of agreeing significant changes to an approved project. If your project delivery is going to be different to what was agreed, you need to request a re-evaluation asking for approval of the changes.

Any changes to a project must be agreed by the grantor in writing. When you notify us that your project needs to be modified, we will explain to you how the changes will be treated. We will issue Re-evaluation Guidance to you with your contract.

Controls

The Welsh Government must enforce the INR Scheme rules.

Your claim may be selected for a visit to verify the realisation of the investment before the payment is made to you or it may be selected for a visit after the payment has been made.

All the details in your application, the details in your claim and the declarations that you made in submitting the application and claim will be checked.

The Welsh Government and the specialist control bodies will try to ensure that visits cause you the minimum of disruption, but some checks require visits to be unannounced, which means it may not be possible to give you notice. You may be subject to more than one visit during a calendar year.

If you refuse to allow a visit or obstruct an officer or fail to give reasonable assistance, your claim may not be paid, we may recover payments and you may be prosecuted.

It will be a requirement and condition of grant that the progress of your project is base lined, monitored and its impact evaluated following completion against the objectives and targets set out in the approved application, the costs associated with this are eligible.

You will be asked to provide regular updates on the progress of the project by submitting regular progress reports reporting against key performance indicators and outcomes outlined in your project delivery plan. 

Monitoring

As a scheme aimed at supporting the agricultural industry, INRS will also be required to work towards the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) objectives and as part of the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023.

It will be a requirement of the grant offer letter that items purchased with the aid of a grant must be kept in situ, operational and in good repair, and used for the same purpose as set out in the original application, for at least five years from the date of completion of the project as set out in the contract. This is to ensure the longevity of the project and to guarantee primary producers a lasting share of the project’s benefits.

You must allow officials from Welsh Government, or their representatives, to inspect the items purchased within this five-year period. Site visits will be made on a percentage of the projects approved within five years following final completion (grant offer letter end date)

You must also cooperate with Welsh Government’s appointed scheme evaluators.

Record keeping 

You must keep all records and information you need to evidence that you have provided complete and accurate information and have complied with your undertakings for seven years after the project end date as stated in your contract.

You will also be required to:

• supply to us any information about your INRS project within the period determined by the us
• make available to us, our authorised persons or our agents, records, accounts, receipts and other information including access to computer data relating to your INRS project
• permit us to remove any such document or record to take copies or extracts from them

You may request an internal review of a decision taken in relation to your application for funding for the project delivery phase, including a decision taken to reject your application for project delivery grant funding. 

Your objections, including supporting evidence, must be submitted within 60 days of the letter outlining the decision you wish to be reviewed. This should be submitted in writing via your RPW Online account. 

Officials will review and make a final decision and notify you together with the reasons for that decision. 

Once you have accepted a grant offer for the project delivery phase, appeals concerning a Welsh Government decision will be considered under the ‘Independent Appeals Process for Rural Grants and Payments’.  

The appeals process consists of two stages:

• stage 1: review by RPW officials
• stage 2: review by an Independent Appeals Panel (if you are dissatisfied with the stage 1 response)

The Independent Panel make recommendations to the Welsh Minister, who take the final decision, which concludes the process.

There is no charge for Stage 1 of the process, but there is a charge at Stage 2 – £50 for a written hearing or £100 for an oral hearing. These charges are repaid in full if the Stage 2 appeal is either partially or fully successful.

Appeals, including supporting evidence, must be received within 60 days of the date of the letter outlining the decision you wish to appeal against.

Further details of the appeals process and how to submit an appeal using the RPW Online appeal form, can be obtained from the RPW Customer Contact Centre or our website at: Rural Grants and Payments appeals: guidance.

Complaints procedure

Complaints will be dealt with under our procedure on Complaints. Further advice on how to make a complaint can be obtained from the Complaints Advice Team:

Welsh Government
Crown Buildings
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

Tel: 03000 251378

E-mail: complaints@gov.wales

Website: Complain about Welsh Government

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.

You may also choose to contact the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales:

1 Ffordd yr Hen Gae
Pencoed
CF35 5LJ

Tel: 0300 790 0203

Website: Ombudsman

The INRS delivers against a range of Government commitments and objectives, these are listed below along with the legislation and governance that applies.

The INRS is governed by assimilated law, previously known as Retained EU Law (REUL) Council Regulations No. 1305/2013, 1303/2013 and 1306/2013, Implementing Regulation No. 808/2014 and No. 809/2014 and Delegated Regulation 640/2014 and 807/2014 (all as amended from time to time).

• the assimilated Law is implemented in Wales through the following domestic law (all as amended from time to time), including by the Agricultural Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021/400 (W.129)
• the Rural Development Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2014/3222 (W.327); and the Common Agricultural Policy (Integrated Administration and Control System and Enforcement and Cross Compliance) (Wales) Regulations 2014/3223 (W.328)

Funding support for farmers, land managers and associated rural sectors respond to four Welsh Government strategic objectives which are:

• fostering the competitiveness of agriculture
• contributing towards the sustainable management of natural resources as set out in Part 1 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016
• ensuring climate resilience, and
• achieving a balanced territorial development of rural economies and communities including the creation and maintenance of employment

World Trade Organisation and subsidy control

Subsidies provided under this scheme are considered to be payments under an environmental programme, which fall within the scope of Annex II of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and have been classified as ‘green box’. There is the potential for innovative or novel project proposals to require equipment or resources that fall outside this scope.  Where it is deemed essential for the project, the items and actions are awarded as a Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) subsidy as set out in section 36 of the Subsidy Control Act (2022), s. 

Enquiries – Customer Contact Centre

For all enquiries, please contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre

Enquiries can be submitted via RPW Online at any time.

Access to Welsh Government offices for people with disabilities or special needs

If you have any special needs which you feel are not met by our facilities contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004. Welsh Government officials will then endeavour to make arrangements to accommodate your requirements.

Welsh Government Website

For all the latest Agricultural and Rural Affairs information, visit the our website. By visiting the website, you can also sign up to receive the Rural Affairs e-newsletter which delivers the latest news directly to your e-mail inbox.

Gwlad

The Gwlad e-newsletter is the Welsh Government’s e-newsletter for farm and forestry businesses and all those involved with agriculture and rural Wales.  It contains news stories, guidance and information in an accessible, easy-to-read format.  To keep informed and up to date with all the latest agriculture news and developments in future we would encourage you to sign up to receive the Gwlad e-newsletter. You can do this either at Announcements or at Subscribe to farming and forestry news (Gwlad).