LUC is delighted to share the recent interim report for the evaluation of the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

The FiPL programme provides funding for projects across National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty. It supports farmers and land managers in aligning projects with local priorities and the programme's four themes: Nature, Climate, People and Place.

The interim report, conducted by ICF, gives an overview of evidence collected until June 2023, with LUC contributing to Case Study 2.

Our team assessed the application process’s usability and efficiency, focusing on the support given to applicants by FiPL officers and teams. Key findings from workshops and interviews include:

• The FiPL program stands out for its personal approach, direct contact, and quality staff.
• Flexibility is a notable strength.
• The ability to fund unique activities is a significant advantage.
• The program excels in supporting and completing short-term projects.
• Reliable payments are consistently positive.

The next step is to determine if the current delivery achieves the desired outcomes and overall objectives.

LUC’s evaluation work will continue into 2024, leading Case Study 5 to assess the delivery of the four thematic outcomes.