Impact Investment Fund
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) UK Impact Investment Fund, launched in October 2024, was open to fund UK based projects that support our charitable objectives.
Please note: applications have now closed for the 2024/2025 round of funding. Any future rounds of funding will be announced on this page, and in our monthly newsletter, Forest Matters (you can sign up for this here). We are not currently in a position to advise on the timing of the next round of funding.
About the fund
The Fund was open to fund UK based projects that support our charitable objectives. Applications for £5,000-£50,000 were invited from suitable UK organisations in the sustainable forestry / timber sectors.
We encouraged applications which combined the strategic priorities listed below, 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.
Please note: applications have now closed for the 2024/2025 round of funding. Any future rounds of funding will be announced on this page and in our newsletter. We are not currently in a position to advise on the timing of the next round of funding.
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Strategic Priorities
Three general priorities were prioritised for the 2024/2025 round of funding:
Sourcing
Promoting/establishing woodland management for ecosystem services
For the first round of funding, we were looking for 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 funding, we were looking for applications focusing 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 were looking for applications focusing on either the benefits of well managed forests or the impacts that well managed forests have.
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
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
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
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