Coetiroedd Bach: Tiny Forests in Wales
A grant scheme intended to create Tiny Forests, as part of the Welsh Government’s National Forest.
The need to aid nature’s recovery is urgent. Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more relevant.
Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests in Wales is a new grant scheme as part of the National Forest programme. We are offering smaller grants of between £10k and £40K for sites (up to £250k for multiple sites) that adhere to Tiny Forest principles.
What is the National Forest?
The National Forest for Wales is a venture led by the Welsh Government. It will create a network of publicly accessible woodlands and forests throughout Wales, under high quality management.
The National Forest will stretch the length and breadth of Wales, so that everyone can access it. It will include both urban and rural areas – with a commitment to create 100 Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests and 30 new woodlands.
It will deliver a huge range of benefits – called ecosystem services – to the environment, the economy and society:
playing an important role in protecting nature and addressing biodiversity loss
increasing locally grown timber production – allowing the local forestry industry to thrive, creating jobs and reducing reliance on imported timber
providing more places where people can immerse themselves in nature and spend time with their friends and families, and boosting tourism across the breadth of Wales
supporting the health and wellbeing of communities – a working example of the Wellbeing of Future Generations ActThe National Forest will bring people together, with the majority of woodland being planted on a voluntary basis by communities, farmers and other landowners across Wales.
The National Forest will bring people together, with the majority of woodland being planted on a voluntary basis by communities, farmers and other landowners across Wales.
This scheme is for organisations, communities and individuals with ownership or management control of small parcels of land, who want to create new small woodlands managed in collaboration with the local community using the Tiny Forests concept.
The scheme will offer:
Grants of up to £40,000 per site. Applicants may make one application to cover several sites but each site may not exceed a cost of £40k, and the maximum grant available per application is £250k. Applicants may not submit more than one application.
up to 100% funding
comprehensive training from Earthwatch Europe to plan and create a Coetir Bach / Tiny Forest (7.5 hours over 3 sessions plus ongoing coaching and support) (essential)
membership of the Tiny Forest network led by Earthwatch Europe (essential)
until the end of March 2025 to deliver the project
capital and revenue funding
advice and support from Woodland Liaison Officers to plan your project
There will be 3 rounds of Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests in Wales funding over the next two years. Read the ‘Application deadlines and key dates’ section for more information on timings.
Who can apply
The scheme is open to anyone who owns or manages land in Wales, including not-for-profit organisations and private owners. You must have full management control of the land, or written permission from the landowner. You can make an application in partnership with other organisations, or on behalf of a landowner, but the partnership must be legally binding and the lead partner clearly identified. You will also need to have the right permissions, licences and consents in place to undertake activity.
Your project must:
create a Coetir Bach / Tiny Forest that fully meets the Tiny Forest criteria (see the ‘What are Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests?’ section of this guidance)
deliver accessible woodlands for all to enjoy
involve local residents, volunteers, local authorities or schools
maintain the Tiny Forest using a “tree keeper team” of volunteers for at least 2 years after the project has finished
meet the needs of local people as a public space and contribute to ecosystem services within the local area
demonstrate multiple benefits spanning environmental, social, economic and cultural wellbeing
consider Natural Resources Wales (NRW) area statement maps
check for any sensitivities of the site by referencing the Welsh government's Woodland Opportunities Map
We have a particular interest in:
urban areas that lack green space
areas that will enable connection of natural space
Your site must:
Be approximately 200m2 for the actual Tiny Forest, plus have space for heavy machinery to do preparation work, so the total space may be up to 500m2.
This area can be of any shape/orientation, but the forest must not be narrower than 4m across at any given point. Long thin plots of land like hedgerow are not suitable for Tiny Forests.
Have no underground infrastructure. The soil typically needs to be excavated to 1m depth, and you must respect utility buffer zones.
Have no overhead infrastructure. The trees could grow to 20m or more.
Be accessible for large machinery. A mini digger is needed for soil preparation, plus truck deliveries of mulching material and other soil supplements.
Have a water access point. The trees may need watering during first 2 years of maintenance, so either a water access point must be located nearby or access for a vehicle and water bowser to the site must be possible.
Not obstruct people’s right of way. This is because the forest becomes very dense and impassable unless a specific pathway is incorporated into the design.
be easily accessible to users such as local residents, school children, and employees
not be designated as sensitive in any way such as an SSSI, SAC, Ramsar or others
be an open area – we do not want to remove trees to plant new ones! Some scrub or low vegetation is fine, as are trees on the edge of the proposed site as these could potentially be incorporated into the design.
be fenced at least for the first 3 years with access through a gate
How to apply
There will be multiple rounds of Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests in Wales over the next two years. The programme opens on 3 April 2023.
Round one
application deadline: 10 May 2023
decision will be made: end of June 2023
your project completion date: 31 March 2025
Round two
application deadline: 15 October 2023
decision will be made: end of November 2023
your project completion date: 31 March 2025
Round three
application deadline: 8 May 2024
decision will be made: end of June 2024
your project completion date: 31 March 2025
Please follow the steps below:
visit our application portal https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/sign-in and register an account (or login if you have applied before)
from the pull-down menu, please choose £10,000 to £250,000
complete and submit a Project Enquiry Form
You will receive feedback on your enquiry within 10 working days of submission
When you are ready to make your full application, log back into the portal and include the advice, support and suggestions (you wish to accept) you have received from Fund staff when completing your full application form.
Submit your application attaching all required additional documents, including letters of supports, maps and photographs.
There is not a dedicated Coetiroedd Bach / Tiny Forests in Wales enquiry or application form.
Useful links
https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/coetiroedd-bach-tiny-forests-wales
https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/sign-in
Source: https://funding.cymru/funds/3059