An evaluation of the Forestry Grant Scheme

This report presents a comprehensive evaluation of the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) during the period it received funding from the European Commission.

Designed to meet a wide range of needs and circumstances, the FGS offers multiple grant types that make forestry support accessible across the sector.

The evaluation highlights the scheme’s effectiveness in delivering public value, responding to sector needs, and supporting sustainable forestry practices across Scotland.

Key findings reveal a broad spectrum of positive impacts, not only within the forestry sector, but also for Scotland’s environment, economy, and communities. The report confirms that the FGS continues to be a vital tool in supporting responsible land management and rural development.

To complement the report, a suite of five short films has been produced. These showcase areas of the FGS beyond woodland creation, telling powerful stories of the scheme’s less visible but equally important contributions.

Together, the report and videos illustrate the diverse benefits of the FGS and its role in supporting people, landscapes, and livelihoods.

Appendix 1 – FGS Evaluation Framework

This document sets out the framework used to evaluate the FGS. It contains the European Commission’s Common Evaluation Questions and helped us to define the other questions we wanted to answer in the evaluation.

Appendix 10 - Map of Woodland Creation in South Scotland

This is a map showing woodland creation projects, by type, in the South Scotland Conservancy area for the evaluation period.

Appendix 2 – Customer Experience Survey

This document contains the results from the survey carried out by the Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) division within the Scottish Government.

Appendix 3 – New Woodland Creation Survey

This document contains the results of a survey that was sent to a selection of applicants to gather information and views on woodland creation projects.

Appendix 4 – Rumroy Survey Report

This report contains the results of third-party surveys, commissioned by SF, of various grant funded projects that focused on the outcomes of grant funding.

Appendix 5 - FGS All Woodland Creation Options

This is a map showing where all woodland creation schemes were located, and their type, for the evaluation period.

Appendix 6 - Map of Woodland Creation in Highland & Islands

This is a map showing woodland creation projects, by type, in the Highland and Islands Conservancy area for the evaluation period.

Appendix 7 - Map of Woodland Creation in Grampian

This is a map showing woodland creation projects, by type, in the Grampian Conservancy area for the evaluation period.

Appendix 8 - Map of Woodland Creation in Perth and Argyll

This is a map showing woodland creation projects, by type, in the Perth and Argyll Conservancy area for the evaluation period.

Appendix 9 - Map of Woodland Creation in Central Scotland

This is a map showing woodland creation projects, by type, in the Central Scotland Conservancy area for the evaluation period.

Briefing 24 - Changes to Capital Item Rates and Securing Future Plant Supply

This briefing note follows a recent review of FGS standard costs that has resulted in a number of changes to capital item rates that were introduced 24th June 2019