The overall objective of the NeighbourWood Scheme is to develop attractive, easily-accessible
local woodlands for the recreational use and enjoyment by communities in both urban and rural
parts of Ireland. Such woodlands will cater for a range of recreational uses and pursuits, but
ultimately, will create opportunities for people to experience the natural world, to take exercise,
and to enjoy the company of family and friends in a relaxed natural setting, all of which have
been shown to increase mental and physical health and wellbeing and to contribute to a better
quality of life.
The NeighbourWood Scheme provides support for (i) silvicultural works designed to enhance
existing forests and to increase their functionality and attractiveness for recreation; and (ii) the
installation of suitable recreational facilities, including familiar features such as trails, seats, signs
and parking to cater for all users, to more specialised facilities to cater for particular user groups,
such as hides for birdwatching.
The Scheme can be applied for in relation to a wide range of recreational forest types, e.g. close
to-home ‘neighbourwoods’ used by local people on a daily basis. The Scheme can also be used to
strengthen the role of a forest as a focus for outdoor fitness training or forest classroom
educational programmes, or as a setting for an important heritage or cultural feature, or as part
of a wider amenity development / network, such as ‘green ways’ or National Waymarked Trails.
This Scheme is aimed primarily at publicly-owned woodlands, but woodlands under community
ownership or management trusts are eligible, as are private forests. However, certain criteria
must be met in all cases, for a project to be eligible under this Scheme. Specifically, all
applications must demonstrate a recreational need, clear user group(s), the accessibility and
suitability of the forest for recreational development, and a partnership between the owner and
the user(s) in developing the application and implementing the project (if approved).

For more information, please visit:
https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/neighbourwood-scheme.pdf?