The project Vorviður is part of the Icelandic Government's Plan for Climate Action and improved land use for climate purposes. It gives non-governmental organisations (NGOs) the opportunity to sequester carbon through their own forestry.

In 2024, the support will consist solely of the allocation of plants from three tree species:

• Downy birch (Betula pubescens).

• Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta).

• Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis).

Application period

The deadline for applications for projects in 2024 is 5 May 2024.

Application process

The NGOs apply for support to Land and Forest Iceland, which is responsible for the project. Applications must be submitted every year.

Apply for support

The application must include:

• Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the NGO and its president or contact person.

• The afforestation area, location and geography (description with picture or map).

• The site's strategic position and any protection clauses.

• Estimated size of planted area, number of plants and plant species requested.

• Information on ownership of or possession of land.

Conditions

Applicants

The following NGOs may apply:

• Formal NGOs that do not have access to other funding for forestry, such as charities and amateur associations.

• Informal associations that do not have access to other funding for forestry, such as workplace associations.

• NGOs that have access to other funding for forestry, for example forestry associations.

Companies and public institutions or companies (hf., ehf., sf., ohf.) are not eligible.

Land

Applications can be made for the following geographical areas:

• Larger lands that are planned for forestry and protected for grazing or areas within such entities, for example areas within forestry areas of municipalities or other entities.

• Larger private lands protected for grazing.

• Smaller areas (at least 1 hectare) protected for grazing.

Recreation areas and areas not protected for grazing are not considered.

Allocation

Results will be presented in May 2024.

Priority will be given to companies that use land already on planned forestry land. Priorities are mainly based on the safety of the crops, mainly in terms of grazing and the companies' ability to put things into action.

An organisation that receives support will contract with Land and Forest for one year at a time. The contract is based on information from the applicant with a simple afforestation plan.

Settlement

Before 1 October, the beneficiaries submit a project report on a pre-made form, including the outline of the new forest, coordinated with a special app or drawn into aerial photograph.

Plant trays must be returned to the place of delivery as soon as possible after planting.

Apply for support