Environmental Land Management Test & Trial
Duration: February 2026
Background
DEFRA’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme bridges the gap between land management and environmental welfare.
In 2022 Groundwork Greater Manchester began the ELM Partnership in the Irwell Catchment (EPIC) project, and in phase 1 of the ELM Test & Trial explored collaborative opportunities on a local scale.
Phase 2 of the project explores how best to integrate private finance into ELM schemes, testing and refining mechanisms for incorporating private sector funding to support environmental outcomes, particularly in farm management practices.

What we’re doing
We’re engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmers, private finance entities, and environmental organizations, to develop and test models that align financial incentives with sustainable and environmental land management.
We will gather ideas and feedback through 1-2-1’s, workshops and surveys, and developing governance documents to facilitate effective partnerships.
We will also pilot initiatives, assess their impact, and produce recommendations for scaling up and sustaining private finance integration in ELM schemes.
To find out more about the programme please contact Aimee Brough, Partnerships Manager:
This project has been made possible thanks to funding from Defra.
