Reforestation aid from the Walloon Region

Rebuilding a more resilient forest

The French Minister for the Environment and Forestry, Céline Tellier, has released a budget to help forest owners restore forests damaged by drought, pests and storms. The aim of this pilot "Resilient Forest" aid project is to encourage forest regeneration in a different way and to steer silvicultural choices towards a forest that is more resilient to climate change. In concrete terms, the aid supports the mixing of species, but also a choice of species adapted to global changes and which incorporate more biodiversity.

Three flat-rate grants are available:

• Basic package of €2,000/ha with at least 1, 2 or 3 species adapted to climate change
• Biogenic species package of €2,500/ha with at least 1, 2 or 3 species adapted to climate change and a choice of productive biogenic species.
• Biodiversity package of €3,000/ha with at least 4 or 5 species adapted to climate change, a choice of biogenic and secondary species and projects dedicated to biodiversity (development of borders, etc.).

Conditions for granting aid :

A complete dossier " Call for projects "A selection committee ranks the projects received according to a number of criteria. The projects with the most points are given priority for funding; the regional budget for the call for projects is limited to €1.5 million. Plots of land that have already been reforested may be eligible if the clear-cutting took place in 2018 or subsequent years. Natural regeneration is also eligible, even if it is not yet fully present throughout the plot.

How to submit your application

Your application for aid is managed and checked by the Office Economique Wallon du Bois (OEWB). To have a complete file, you must :

• Complete your online electronic form on the OEWB website
• Attach a file showing the outline of the parcel(s) (via WalOnMap or " My forest property"for example)
• Attach a certificate attesting to the suitability of the species for the site. A description of the reasons for the choice of species adapted to your plot would seem to suffice. An extract from one of the most significant reports of the ecological tree species file describing your plot will be a useful addition to your motivation.

A document " Prepare my form The "Resilient Forest" guide will help you make sure you leave nothing out when applying for the "Resilient Forest" call for projects. You can submit several different plots in your project application.

Do you need help?

For properties of more than 5 hectares, support from a specialist is available. expert is recommended. An additional premium of up to €350 is available if you use the services of a recognised expert from the Fédération Nationale des Experts Forestiers (FNEF) or a professional recognised by the OEWB Selection Committee.

For properties of less than 5 hectares, you can contact the services of the Cellule d'appui à la petite forêt privée (CAPFP).

For SRFB members If you would like to know whether your past or future reforestation projects are eligible before embarking on the adventure, we can answer any questions you may have. Don't hesitate to contact our secretariat 02/223.04.66 - info@srfb-kbbm.be.

The website www.foretresiliente.be contains all the information you need to prepare your application. The Office Economique Wallon du Bois can also answer your questions: foretresiliente@oewb.be +32 (0)84 46 03 43.