Peatland ACTION - Fund - How to apply
Scotland-wide peatland restoration.
Peatland ACTION Funding
Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration. There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Where appropriate, we also make multi-year offers for large-scale projects.
Find out more about what we fund and whether your proposed restoration activities meet the fund’s outcome and eligibility requirements.
Peatland ACTION - what we do
We use techniques that include installation of peat dams in man-made ditches to increase water levels, allowing the peat-building mosses, called sphagnums, to re-establish. We also support more novel techniques, such as peat hag re-vegetating by using the surrounding vegetation to stabilise the bare eroding peat.
How to Apply for restoration funding
The NatureScot Peatland ACTION funding round – deadline 30 April 2025 – is closed and we are currently assessing applications. We aim to inform applicants of the outcome of their application by 31 July 2025. Funding offers will be awarded from 1 August 2025.
Step one: Pre-application Expression of Interest (EoI)
To ensure applicants focus on designing and preparing projects which have the highest chance of securing funding we have introduced a pre-application step. Anyone interested in developing a peatland restoration project and applying for NatureScot Peatland ACTION funding must first submit an Expression of Interest Form for each project. We will undertake a desktop scoping exercise after which we will provide feedback on the next steps.
Step two: Application (for those who have completed step one)
All applications must reference a signed-off Expression of Interest form (see step one above) before completing or submitting an application form.
The next NatureScot Peatland ACTION application deadline is 30 September 2025 for projects with an intended start date after 01 April 2026.
All applications must be fully tendered, including species protection costs.
Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) must be used to advertise all contract tender opportunities and must be used for receiving tenders for all restoration works contracts of £50k and over, inclusive of VAT. See our procurement guidance and templates to help you with this.
The criteria for assessments will remain the same as in 2024/25.
Applicants/agents will be required to take on responsibility for organising species surveys required in the pre-operational and operation phases of project delivery. Financial support will be available for these costs which will need to be detailed in the application. Further information on this is outline in the changes to support for species protection for Peatland ACTION projects.
Further information on NatureScot Peatland ACTION's approach to processing applications including information criteria for assessing applications.
If you are interested in developing peatland restoration projects please contact us at peatlandaction@nature.scot our Project Officers will support you to develop your project, help you understand the Peatland ACTION Fund and assist you to complete your application and supporting information.
If your project is located within either of Scotland’s National Parks visit their websites or contact the relevant national park Peatland ACTION Team to discuss your proposals:
Peat depth and peatland condition surveys
A peat depth and peatland condition survey is needed before restoration work starts. In most cases survey data must be submitted along with your Peatland ACTION funding application.
We can arrange for surveys to be undertaken at no cost to you.
- Request a peat depth survey (form)
- Peat depth and peatland condition survey guidance and recording forms.
Feasibility Studies
We are no longer accepting requests for Feasibility Studies. We are currently reviewing how we can support project development and we will provide updates on this in due course.
Permitted Development Rights
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Use Classes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020, introduces new Class 20A, specifying permitted development rights (PDR) for peatland restoration projects. This means that full planning permission is not required for peatland restoration projects but there is still a planning process (prior notification / prior approval) to go through.
The prior notification / prior approval (PN/PA) process is a two-stage process, which allows a planning authority to consider whether a proposal requires closer scrutiny before it is approved. This process must be gone through before the restoration works can begin.
Most of the information needed to submit a prior notification will be provided as part of the development of a Peatland Action project. Ideally, you should submit your Peatland ACTION application once you have submitted your prior notification.
More information is available in the Scottish Government Planning Circular (Advice and Guidance).
Peatland Code
The Peatland Code is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Peatland Programme. It is a voluntary certification standard for UK peatland projects wishing to market the climate benefits of peatland restoration and provides assurances to voluntary carbon market buyers that the climate benefits being sold are real, quantifiable, additional and permanent.
Much of the data gathered for a Peatland ACTION project application can be used to inform a separate Peatland Code application. Processes and applications can run in tandem.
If you have decided to undertake a Peatland ACTION funded peatland restoration project and would like your project to also be Peatland Code validated, and later verified visit the IUCN UK Peatland Programme web pages on the Peatland Code for further information and guidance on this or contact the IUCN Peatland Code team.
Carbon Contracts Pilot
In order to support greater levels of peatland restoration and try to leverage additional funding sources and reduce the risks involved in committing capital to restoration projects, in 2025 we are piloting a new funding mechanism of Carbon Contracts.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) (the Regulations) apply to all peatland restoration projects.
All applications must demonstrate that the necessary steps have been taken during the planning and design stages to ensure compliance with the Regulations.
Information on the Regulations and the responsibilities for all involved in a restoration project is available in our guidance note.
Our spatial data
Spatial data is important to allow us to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the Peatland ACTION Fund. There are two key stages when you need to submit spatial data:
When you are applying for funding for your project
You must submit spatial data of the proposed work for your restoration project(s) with your application.
- Spatial data templates (includes guidance notes and how to videos)
If you don’t have access to GPS or GIS for mapping purposes, we may be able to arrange for one of the Peatland ACTION team to carry out any mapping on your behalf. Please email peatlandactiondata@nature.scot and we’ll arrange for one of the team to get in touch with you.
Once you have completed your project
You will need to submit spatial data of the completed work along with a Final Report upon completion of your restoration project. Further information on the Final Report will be issued with your grant offer.
Contractors
We have compiled a list of contractors as per Peatland ACTION Public Contract Prior Information Notice MAR275498.
If you are a contractor and wish to be added to the contractors list, please contact us at peatlandaction@nature.scot
- Position statement on the use of red diesel and rebated biofuels (April 2023)
- Snow day enhancement payments policy (2023/24 to 2025/26) (eligibility requirements, what costs are covered and claim process)
How to acknowledge our support for your project
One of the conditions of receiving funding from us is that you acknowledge our funding of your project during your Contract Period. This will be outlined in your Funding Offer. The Progress and Claim form will ask you to tell us what you have done to acknowledge our funding.
Please see our guidance on using the Peatland ACTION logo and other ways to acknowledge our funding of your project.
You can follow us on X/Twitter @PeatlandACTION, and don't forget to tag @NatureScot and use our hashtag #PeatlandACTION especially if we've funded your peatland restoration project.
Restoration guidance
Information and guidance on peatland restoration techniques and habitat management.
Species surveys
When undertaking restoration work, all parties involved must ensure that there are no negative impacts on protected species.
Applicants / agents will be required to take on responsibility for organising species surveys required in the pre-operational and operation phases of project delivery. Financial support will be provided for these which will need to be detailed in the application. Further information on this is outlined in the Guidance note - Changes to supporting for species surveys protection for Peatland ACTION projects.
Our species survey guidance notes set out protocols that all parties involved in peatland restoration are required to follow to ensure that they stay within the constraints of the law.
Assessing herbivore impact for Peatland ACTION applicants
Our Guidance note - Assessing herbivore impacts sets out the approach NatureScot Peatland ACTION will undertake for all applications to assess potential herbivore impacts. For all new applications, applicants will need to demonstrate that the current grazing pressures across the restoration area are within sustainable levels.
How can we help?
The Peatland ACTION project team is here to help - how best to contact us.
PeatlandACTION/NatureScot
- peatlandaction@nature.scot
To speak to one of our Project Officers to get advice on your proposed Peatland ACTION project, including getting a peat depth and peatland condition survey completed.
- peatlandactiongrant@nature.scot
To submit your application, progress reports and claim forms, or to request changes to your project. Our Funding Officers can advise on the procurement requirements of the fund.
- peatlandactiondata@nature.scot
For support and advice on all project related data including meeting our spatial data needs.
PeatlandACTION/National Park Authorities
If your project is located within either of Scotland’s National Parks you should contact the relevant national park to discuss your proposals:
- Cairngorms National Park: peatlandaction@cairngorms.co.uk
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park: Peatland@lochlomond-trossachs.org
Find out more
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