Education & Provident Fund Grant

Education & Provident Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Confederation of Forest Industries
Amount: Up to £1,000
Last Updated: November 02, 2025

Summary

The Education & Provident Fund Grant, established by the Confederation of Forest Industries, aims to support the professional development of Confor members in the forestry sector. This grant provides financial assistance for educational courses and training that enhance skills and knowledge, up to £1000 per application. It also addresses hardships faced by members through the Provident Fund. The Trustees evaluate applications based on their relevance and potential impact on both the individual and the industry.

Overview

The Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund (FIEPF) was established as a charity in 1997 with the following objects: Advancement of education of Confor members (and their employees) employed in forestry or related industries – eg in provision of grants to further education or training to improve professional development.Provide assistance to Confor members or dependents employed in forestry or related industries who may be in conditions of need, hardship or distress. The Education Fund The Education Fund makes awards to applicants for technical and professional courses such as chainsaw competency, business planning, or competency on woodland creation and carbon management; as well as educational trips, field courses and study tours. This fund is also available for skilled members wishing to improve or update themselves by attending suitable training courses or study tours. The Trustees are looking for information from you not only on the benefits to your career in forestry by undertaking the training or visit, but also how this training/education experience can benefit the wider forestry sector as a whole. The award will be based on the contribution the course will make to the applicant progressing their career and how the training provided will improve how the applicant can contribute to the wider development of the forestry sector. The Trustees limit awards for the Education Fund to £1000 per application. The Trustees will make their decisions on the basis of many factors including, but not restricted to, the quality of the application and its relevance to both the individual and to the industry, the funds available from year to year and to the mix/type of applications received in any one year. The Provident Fund The Provident Fund is available in cases of hardship, for example long-term illness, personal injury or death. It has more flexibility and all applications are treated in confidence by the Trustees. In the past the Trust has supported both individuals and small businesses to help cope with challenging circumstances of both a financial and/or personal nature. If uncertain about eligibility an initial application may be made to ascertain if the situation warrants a more detailed bid for support.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The applicant shall be a Confor member, or employee of, to be eligible for grant aid. Proof of employment may be sought. Grants can only be for bona fide educational, training or professional development purposes in the field of forestry.The recipient shall be required to write a brief report and if appropriate, may be asked to contribute an article for use in the FTN magazine or Confor website, outlining the studies/activities undertaken for which the grant was made, and how this will benefit both their career and the forest industry as a whole. Any grant awarded shall be applied towards a specific cost within the project. The applicant shall be required to declare other sources of grant. If financial aid has been obtained from another source, then this is likely to be reflected in the award. Recipients will be required to produce evidence to the Trustees that the money given as grant has been spent for the purposes for which it was issued, eg course invoice receipt, and, if it has not been so spent, the Trustees retain the right to reclaim all or part of the grant money. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. The applicant shall be a member of Confor to be eligible for grant aid.

Ineligibility

Grants can only be awarded with prior agreement. No retrospective payments can be made.