Impact Investment Fund
Do you have a great idea to promote the benefits of good woodland management or increase the use of responsibly sourced timber?
The Fund
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) UK Impact Investment Fund, launched in October 2024, is open to fund projects that support our charitable objectives.
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Strategic Priorities
Three general priorities will be prioritised for funding:
Sourcing
Promoting/establishing woodland management for ecosystem services
For the first round of funding, we will particularly seek applications focusing on improved forest management for a range of ecosystem services and/or developing markets for these services.
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Demand
Fostering an increase in the use of responsibly sourced timber
For the first round of applications, we will particularly seek applications focused on promoting the use of sustainably managed timber in the construction sector.
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Benefits of well-managed forests
Making the link between demand and source more explicit
For the first round of funding, we would encourage applications that focus on either the benefits of well managed forests or the impacts that well managed forests have.
We encourage applications which combine the priorities above – such as a project linked to the provision of timber for the construction sector where the associated management within the forest is driving improved timber quality and/or biodiversity and/or social / cultural improvements.
We would particularly welcome applications involving smallholders/farmers, community-based projects and social enterprises.
All projects must include approaches aimed at engaging and encouraging others to explore the project findings or ideas.
We hope The Fund will support and tap into the knowledge, experience and innovation within the sustainable forestry and timber community to the benefit of the wider forestry sector,
Mike Bekin, FSC UK Board Member, Economic Chamber
Applications
Applications for £5,000-£50,000 are invited from suitable organisations* in the sustainable forestry / timber sectors. Higher value proposals can run for multiple years (up to a maximum of 3) and phased payments can be agreed. Proposals should be submitted via the online application form (see example in Word format below) by 17 November 2024.
*Students or independent researchers/professionals are required to apply through a suitable organisation such as University/Community Entity/Company/Trade Association/NGO .
There is an urgent need for research that helps strengthen the link between supply and demand for sustainable forestry and ecosystem services,
Constance L McDermott, FSC UK Board Member, Social Chamber
Assessment
A small committee of FSC UK staff and three Board members (one from each chamber) will assess applications and then agree (by consensus) the selected projects.
Proposals are expected to include a description of how projects will measure their impacts and report to FSC UK on:
- inputs (i.e., the resources used in the project, such as money, time, materials);
- activities (i.e., the actions taken or work performed, e.g., workshops held);
- outputs (i.e., the products developed as a result of the activities, such as, a report or film produced, or the number of woodland managers trained in ecosystem services verification);
- outcomes (i.e., the likely or achieved short-term and medium-term effects of the outputs/the measures of success, such as an increase in timber specification amongst people who have participated in sustainable timber use workshops, the number (and hectarage) of small and community woodlands that have progressed their management of ecosystem services, etc);
- project reporting (i.e, a submission of an end of project report. For higher value and longer duration projects we may require staged/interim reporting).
Due diligence will be conducted on the agreed prospective awardees prior to communication with them. Note that this is separate from the evaluation of any proposed activities or projects. The objective of this part of the evaluation is to ensure that any monies provided by the fund are likely to be correctly spent on project related activities.
The impact investment fund is an important tool to expand the footprint of FSC UK, to find joint solutions to the problems of achieving a circular bioeconomy and to engage with like-minded actors in sustainable forestry,
Hubertus Van Hensbergen, FSC UK Board Member, Economic Chamber
Questions
Questions can be directed to:
The online application form is available via the links on this page and applications for the first round of funding can be made until 17 November 2024.
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