Private forest owners once again have the opportunity to apply for support to compensate for income lost due to nature conservation restrictions. Applications can be submitted from April 4 to April 30, 2025.

Purpose and Conditions of the Support

The aim of the Natura 2000 private forest biodiversity support is to compensate forest owners for income they lose when their forest land is located in areas with nature protection restrictions. Support can be applied for forest land that is within the Natura 2000 network’s limited management zone, strict protection zone, or a designated future protection area, including strict protection zones outside Natura 2000 areas.

The support rates depend on the level of protection:

• €160 per hectare in a strict protection zone or in the strict protection zone of a protected natural object;
• €160 per hectare in a limited management zone or special conservation area containing a designated forest habitat as defined in the EU directive;
• €160 per hectare in a projected strict protection zone;
• Up to €60 per hectare in a limited management zone or special conservation area without a designated forest habitat.

How to Apply and When to Expect Support

Applications must be submitted via the e-PRIA portal. If you are a new user, you must first register as a PRIA client. Instructions for client registration and updating your data are easily accessible within the e-PRIA environment.

The Environmental Investment Centre processes the applications and will make decisions no later than April 30, 2026. PRIA will pay out the support by June 30, 2026.

Why Did the Support Rates Increase?

Minister of Regional and Rural Affairs Piret Hartman has explained that the updated support rates are fairer and better reflect the income loss experienced by forest owners. The unit rate for areas under stricter protection increased by 19.4%, now covering 81% of the estimated income loss. This change helps to better balance the impact of nature protection restrictions on the management of private forests.

This support is aimed at forest owners whose land is subject to nature protection restrictions. If your forest land is located in one of these areas, it's worth reviewing the support conditions and submitting your application on time. This is an opportunity to recover part of the income lost due to conservation measures.

More information can be found on the support page: https://www.pria.ee/toetused/natura-2000-erametsades-elurikkuse-soodustamise-toetus-2025