Scottish Rural Development Programme
Funding for rural Scotland is available through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
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 has also supported access projects, under the Improving Public Access (IPA) option. You can find full details in the AECS section of the Scottish Government website.
The 2026 AECS round will open for applications in the new year. The application dates can be found on the AECS website.
If you are considering a 2026 AECS application related to a designated site (SSSI, SPA or SAC), peatland restoration or deer management, you are strongly advised to contact NatureScot before working up your application. Please send any enquiries to your regional SRDP mailbox as listed below. 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 no longer available.
Find more information about AECS on our Evaluation and monitoring of the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme page.
Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)
FGS supports the sustainable management of existing woodlands and the creation of new woodlands. It can also support access projects in woodland. You can find full details in the Forestry Grant Scheme website.
How to get help or advice on SRDP (including AECS)
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]
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
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