Scottish Rural Development Programme

Current SRDP (2014 - 2020)

The 2014-20 SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme) offers funding for rural Scotland. A key aim of the SRDP is to deliver natural heritage benefits including biodiversity, landscape, climate change, water and soil quality, and public access. The SRDP is delivered by the Scottish Government in partnership with other public bodies including SNH and Forestry Commission Scotland. More information can be found on the Scottish Government's SRDP website  .

The 2014-20 SRDP includes the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS).  

AECS includes funding for access projects, under the IPA Option (Improving Public Access).  FGS also includes funding for access projects in woodland (see WIAT).

 The application window for AECS is from 30 March to 12 June in 2015 (except for the IPA option mentioned above, where applications should be submitted between 17 August and 31 October 2015).  FGS is also open for application from 30 March 2015 and doesn't have a fixed closing date.

If you are considering applying to SRDP for management of your designated sites (SSSI, SPA, SAC) we strongly recommend that you contact SNH to discuss your proposals before submitting an application. 

For help or advice with SRDP please see the SRDP contacts page.

The previous SRDP (2007-13) SRDP included the following schemes:

• Rural Development Contracts - Land Managers Options
• Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities
• Less Favoured Area
• Support Scheme Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme
• Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme
• Forestry Commission Challenge Funds The LEADER initiative Skills Development Scheme

Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities  :  The RP scheme is being replaced by the new schemes noted above (AECS and FGS).  

 Extensions to existing Rural Priorities contracts:  Scottish Government offered 1 year extensions for all Rural Priorities agri-environment contracts which ended in December 2013, including contracts on SSSIs or Natura sites. Some contracts may receive further extensions.

Rural Development Contracts - Land Managers' Options:  The LMO scheme started in March 2008. It offered a more limited range of measures than Rural Priorities. LMO is closed to new applications from 2014.