The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has today (June 23) announced the results of the 2025/2026 open call for proposals for forestry promotion projects.

According to DAFM, 48 projects were selected for funding, adding up to a total amount of €1.53 million over two years.

The Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the collaboration between the department and industry stakeholders.

"I am glad to note that many of the projects involve collaboration between organisations and groups, and cover a wide range of topics, including afforestation, sustainable forest management, timber in construction, agroforestry, continuous cover forestry and the promotion of careers in forestry," Minister of State Healy-Rae said.

The minister also said that there is a "good nationwide spread" of projects.

According to DAFM, the projects selected will promote several aspects of forestry in a variety of different ways.

Projects that will receive funding include a forestry village at the national ploughing championships, promotion of agroforestry and continuous cover forestry, forestry as a career option, and a year-long promotional campaign titled ‘there is a forestry project for you’.

Funding will also support a continuous professional development model on the use of timber in construction, exploring barriers to women’s participation in forestry, and forest and timber certification.

Minister of State Healy-Rae said: "I am convinced of the benefits of our attractive forestry programme to farmers and other landowners, and that these projects will help to address gaps in the communication of our programme.

"Peer-led projects promoting the mutual benefits of forestry to landowners and farmers, as well as the sharing of information and good practice, will be of immense benefit in achieving our sustainable forestry targets.

"They will also bring great benefits to rural communities and to our environment and help to achieve climate change mitigation," the minister added.