Attendees at the webinar raised a series of questions, which we have answered below.

The answers to several questions raised can also be found by reading the guidance.

General/Eligibility

Can you apply if you are already part of the National Forest?

Yes.

Can you apply if you have received TWIG funding before?

Yes.

Would woodlands with no public access be considered if the project involved the community in other ways (for example workshop days, guided wildlife walks, volunteer management days)? 

A key part of the National Forest programme is delivering accessibility to woodland across Wales for all to enjoy. For TWIG, the ‘Woodlands Accessible to people’ outcome is an essential outcome and so your project should consider how it will meet that outcome. You can include targeted and managed activities such as workshops and guided walks, but you should consider the frequency and long-term sustainability of these events and if the level of public access is commensurate to the grant request.

Could an organisation apply for a grant and also be the landowner for the area of another application being made by another organisation?

Yes, but the landowner would need to be tied into the grant contract. If work across both projects is taking place in the same area you will need to ensure there is no duplication of work. You should consider if it’s more appropriate to apply as a partnership for one project, particularly if there are opportunities for improved woodland connectivity.

Would this grant count as a subsidy?

You are advised to get independent advice on subsidy control in relation to your project, but it is unlikely the grant would be considered a subsidy. Find out more about subsidy control in the Legal and policy requirements section of the programme guidance.

Can we put in a Project Enquiry which includes more than one site?

Yes, projects can involve more than one site if there is a clear rationale for including them, for example a plan to improve connectivity and access between two woodlands. Applications should not include a number of disparate sites.  

If you are applying for multiple woodlands, is there a limit of distance for connectivity?

There is no set distance for connectivity between sites, but we would advise you to consider the rationale for the different sites you are focusing on.

We are exploring a National Lottery Heritage Grant bid for another project not related to this grant. Would we be able to apply for both? 

You can apply for both TWIG funding and National Lottery Heritage Grants, but you must ensure they are for separate projects. You should not apply to both funds for the same project.

Buildings

Would refurbishing an existing building to repurpose as a classroom or community use space be acceptable?

We can support costs for smaller scale building work to support project activities, but this should not form the majority of your project costs.  

Jobs/Salaries/Training

Can TWIG pay for salaries?

Yes, funding can pay for salaries of new staff, but not for existing staff members unless you are extending the hours of a part-time member of staff to work on the project.

Can skills training (for example chainsaw courses) be funded?

Yes, training for both staff and volunteers to support capital work and activities can be included.

Costs

Would a subcontractor come under the 25% revenue or capital cost?

It depends on what work the contractor is undertaking. If it is physical works on site it would be classed as capital costs. A subcontractor working on project promotion or evaluation would be classed as revenue.

Licenses/Permissions

Would any funded management plan include a felling licence or does this need to be applied for independently?

The Woodland Management plan should set out how the site will be managed going forward. A felling licence would need to be applied for separately.

If we need, for example, a felling licence for some of the project work, can we start on other elements of the project while waiting for the permission?

You should not start work before we give you permission to do so. In most cases, you will be required to secure all consents before starting. If invited to apply, we recommend applying for all necessary consents and permissions as early as you can to reduce delays.

Full cost recovery

What does 'Full cost recovery' mean?

If you are an organisation in the voluntary sector (for example, you might have a board of trustees and be funded by grants and donations), we can cover a proportion of your organisation’s overheads through full cost recovery.

Full cost recovery means securing funding for all the costs involved in running a project. This means that you can request funding for direct project costs as well as a proportionate share of your organisation’s fixed costs. This may include costs that partly support the project but also support other projects or activities that your organisation provides, such as salaries of staff working across projects in administration, management, HR, or fundraising, office costs such as rent or utilities and legal or audit fees.

Recognised guidance on calculating the full cost recovery amount that applies to your project is available from organisations such as The National Lottery Community Fund.

Planting

Would replanting storm damaged plantations (under 2 hectares) with deciduous woodland as part of creating an area of accessible woodland be eligible for funding?

No this is not an eligible cost . We can’t fund restocking of sites.

Is there an agreed species list of what trees can be planted? 

We don’t provide species lists. However, the National Forest Programme can supply one if your project is awarded with funding.

Is there an agreed list of nurseries we can purchase trees from?

No, we don’t provide lists of approved nurseries, contractors or suppliers.

Does urban tree planting include street trees, with planting pits etc?

TWIG is a programme focused on woodlands. You must make sure that your project meets at least the three essential National Forest outcomes. Tree planting could include work to improve the connectivity of sites (such as a corridor of hedgerow or trees), so if a small amount of street planting would fit with that aspect, it could be eligible as part of a wider project that meets the National Forest outcomes.

Can costs be included for tackling of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)?

Yes, you can include the cost of controlling INNS as part of your TWIG project.

Could we include understorey planting/enhancement with native plants?

Yes, understorey planting with native plants could be part of woodland enhancement works. We recommend that you get in touch with your Woodland Liaison Officer to discuss the suitability of this work.

Do you have a minimum area/size threshold for planting new woodland? 

No, there is no minimum size for new planting.

Low sensitivity requirement: what if your site is up to 2 hectares and has a mixture of low sensitivity and areas of higher sensitivity?

Any areas of planting which are not considered low sensitivity will be subject to the requirement to apply to the Welsh Government’s Woodland Creation Planning Scheme. If you’re unsure, contact your Woodland Liaison Officer.