Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) is Ireland's flagship agri-environment climate scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan, worth €1.5 billion, helping to address biodiversity decline while delivering income support to up to 50,000 farm families. It runs through two approaches: ACRES General, available nationally, and ACRES Co-operation, targeted at defined high priority geographical areas.

Grant range: Payments vary by activity undertaken
Funding level: 100%
Support type: Grant
Last checked: 3 Sept 2026

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About this scheme

ACRES is a €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan, providing income support to up to 50,000 farm families while addressing biodiversity decline. There are two approaches, paying up to €7,311 or €10,500 a year depending on which route applies: ACRES General, open nationally and offering a menu of targeted and general environmental actions (e.g. grass margins, hedgerow planting, catch crops, low-input grassland); and ACRES Co-operation, available only in defined high priority geographical areas, which uses results-based scorecards plus optional Non-Productive Investments and Landscape Actions. Farmers must engage an approved ACRES Advisor to prepare and submit applications, and advisors also support scoring, NPI submissions, and liaison with regional Co-operation Project teams throughout the contract.

Who can apply

Aimed at farm families/farmers; the scheme provides income support to up to 50,000 farm families
ACRES General is available nationally, outside the high priority geographical areas defined for Co-operation, offering a menu of targeted and general environmental actions (paid per metre, hectare, unit, or m³) up to a maximum of €7,311 a year
ACRES Co-operation is only available to farmers located within defined high priority geographical areas (zones), using results-based scorecards plus optional Non-Productive Investments and Landscape Actions, up to a combined maximum of €10,500 a year (up to €7,000 results-based, plus up to €3,500 for NPIs/Landscape Actions)
Results-based payments scale with a field's environmental score (e.g. €0-€400/ha for grassland depending on score)
Applicants must engage an approved ACRES Advisor to prepare and submit their application (per ACRES Advisors page)

How to apply

Engage an approved ACRES Advisor, who is required to prepare and submit your ACRES application.
Determine which approach applies to your land: ACRES General (available nationally) or ACRES Co-operation (only in defined high priority geographical areas/zones).
Your advisor assesses and scores your land where relevant (e.g. results-based scorecards for grassland, peatland, commonage) and selects applicable actions.
Your advisor prepares and submits the application on your behalf, including applications for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) if in the Co-operation approach.
If accepted, participate for the contract term; your advisor can continue to assist with scoring, NPI claims, and liaison with ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Teams on Landscape Actions.