25% of SFI26 Window 1 Funding Allocated and Update on Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier

Details released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) highlighted strong demand for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) , confirming that 25% of the funding available in Window 1 had been allocated within less than 48 hours of the application window opening.

At Groundswell yesterday, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP announced an expansion of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), opening the scheme to more farmers and land managers.

For the first time, applicants will be able to begin the process by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), rather than relying solely on invitations from Natural England or the Forestry Commission.

From later this summer, EOIs will be available for woodland, agroforestry and new single-focus agreements, including species-rich grassland restoration. Further details about single-focus agreements can be found on the Defra farming blog.

At least £50 million has been allocated for new CSHT agreements this year.

CSHT has operated on an invitation-only basis, allowing the scheme to be rolled out gradually, refined where necessary and supported through tailored advice.