Scottish Rural Development Programme

The main priorities of SRDP are to:

• enhance the rural economy
• support agricultural and forestry businesses
• protect and enhance the natural environment
• address the impacts of climate change
• support rural communities

The Scottish Government delivers SRDP in partnership with other public bodies, including NatureScot.

The two key schemes within SRDP to manage for biodiversity and climate change are the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS).  You can find details of all SRDP schemes in the Rural Payments and Services section of the Scottish Government website.

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

AECS promotes land management that protects and enhances Scotland’s natural heritage, improves water quality, manages flood risk, and helps us to mitigate and adapt to climate change.  AECS also supports access projects, under the Improving Public Access (IPA) option.  You can find full details in the AECS section of the Scottish Government website.

2023 round

The opening and closing dates for applications can be found on the AECS website.  The scheme guidance will be updated before the round opens for applications.  If you are considering a 2023 AECS application related to a designated site (SSSI, SPA or SAC), peatland restoration or deer management, you are strongly advised to contact NatureScot before you start working up your application.  You can also find details of the designated sites on your land and their notified features using NatureScot's SiteLink.

Please note that the Improving Public Access (IPA) element of AECS is not open for applications in 2023. 

There will be a further AECS application round in 2024. (See the Scottish Government news page 'Creating a fairer, greener nation' on 27 October 2021.) 

You can find information on evaluation and monitoring of AECS in this web page.

Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)

FGS supports the sustainable management of existing woodlands and the creation of new woodlands. FGS also offers funding for access projects in woodland, as part of the Woodland Improvement Grant – Woods In and Around Towns WIAT.

How to get help or advice on SRDP

NatureScot has four regional SRDP enquiries teams:

North (Highland, Orkney, Shetland)
Telephone (Golspie): 01463 701 608
Email: mailto:[email protected]

East (Tayside, Grampian, Forth)
Telephone (Battleby): 01738 444177
Email: mailto:[email protected]

South (Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Borders)
Telephone (Dumfries): 01738 458678
Email: mailto:[email protected]

West (Argyll, Outer Hebrides)
Telephone (Oban): 0300 244 9360
Email: mailto:[email protected]

For queries on IPA, please contact [email protected]

Alternatively, view details for your local NatureScot area office.

You can also raise queries with your local Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division (SGRPID) enquiries team.

For queries about forestry and SRDP, contact your local Scottish Forestry office.

Previous SRDP schemes

AECS and FGS replaced the two 2007–2013 SRDP schemes below:

• Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities scheme (RDC-RP)
• Rural Development Contracts – Land Managers Options scheme (LMO)

Any existing contracts under these schemes will continue until their expiry date.

Find out more

Land and sea management