People
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a dedicated grant programme for farmers and land managers in Protected Landscapes in England.
The FiPL grant is aimed at supporting the farmers, land managers and people who live and work in the East Devon National Landscape to deliver for Nature, Climate, People and Place. The FiPL grant can provide funding for eligible projects in the East Devon National Landscape, grants start from £2,000 and go up to a maximum of £50,000.
We’re delighted to confirm that FiPL has been extended for a further three years and will now run from April 2026 to March 2029.
Overview
FiPL is open to all farmers and land managers within a National Park or National Landscape in England as part of the Government’s Agricultural Transitional Plan, which sets out how Defra’s support for farmers and land managers is changing over the next few years.
It supports farmers and land managers to carry out projects that:
- Support nature recovery
- Mitigate the impacts of climate change
- Provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
- Support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses
- This is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
What themes does the FiPL project need to deliver?
Theme 1: Address climate issues
More carbon is stored and/or sequestered
Flood risk is reduced
Farmers, land managers and the public better understand what different habitats and land uses can store carbon and reduce carbon emissions
The landscape is more resilient to climate change
Theme 2: Boost nature
There is a greater area of habitat improved for biodiversity
There is an increase in biodiversity
There is greater connectivity between habitats
Existing habitat is better managed
Theme 3: Engage people
There are more opportunities for people to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape
There are more opportunities for more diverse audiences to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape
There is greater public engagement in land management, such as through volunteering
Farmers and land managers feel increasingly comfortable with providing public goods
Theme 4: Conserve and enhance place
The quality and character of the landscape is reinforced or enhanced
Historic structures and features are conserved, enhanced or interpreted more effectively
There is an increase in the resilience of nature friendly sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy
Plus, it MUST support the priorities of the East Devon National Landscape Management Plan.
Your project must also help to deliver at least one of the policy priorities of the East Devon National Landscape Management Plan (many overlap with aims of the fund). For example, the programme might support:
- Promoting connectivity between habitats
- Promoting easier access to the landscape
- Conserving historic features on a farm, such as lime kilns or historic farm buildings
- Supporting local food initiatives that promote the links between the product and the landscape in which it is produced
- Action to store more carbon on a farm
- Gathering data and evidence to help inform conservation and farming practice
For details of our priorities download the Guidance for Applicants.
Eligibility
FiPL is open to all farmers and land managers (including from the private, public and charity sector) and can support activity on any land within the East Devon National Landscape.
It can also support activity on other land where projects can demonstrate benefit to the East Devon National Landscape, or the objectives of the East Devon National Landscape Management Plan 2025 – 2026.
- You must manage all the land included in the application and have control of all the activities you’d like to undertake, or you must have written consent from all parties who have this management and control.
- Other organisations and individuals can apply, as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers Common land is eligible for support.
- You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together
How to apply?
The grant has a rolling application window which means you can apply at any time of year, until all funding has been allocated.
We are accepting applications for the 2025-26 financial year. All projects submitted this year must be complete by March 2026.
To discuss an idea please contact our FiPL Project Officer.
How your application will be considered
- Applications under £5000 will be assessed by the National Landscape Manager for consideration
- Applications over £5000 will be assessed by the Local Assessment Panel (LAP) a team of representatives including local farmers from across the National Landscape. The LAP panel meet every 8 weeks.