Tyne Esk LEADER Programme 2007 - 2013

1. Tyne Esk LEADER Programme2007 - 2013 Supporting Opportunities For Rural Communities

2. Programme Area 1,009 square miles with a population of 123,714.

3. Themes Revitalising communities Progressive rural economy Objectives To improve the environment for sustainable business and employment;  To address community capacity and cohesion;  To develop community facilities;  To enhance connectivity within the area;  To target economic and social disadvantage. Themes and Objectives

4. Target Groups Young People (aged 14-24) Women The unemployed and underemployed Disabled people Micro businesses Elderly (aged 60+) Migrant workers and their families

5. LAG Advisory Group Scottish Natural Heritage NHS Lothian Communities Scotland Lothian & Borders Police East Lothian and Midlothian Council (transportation, sustainability, housing, childcare, education and Dialogue Youth) Community Planning East Lothian Local Council Economic Development Reference Group Midlothian Maximizing Business Opportunities East Lothian Community Planning Groups (Fa’side and Preston Seton Gosford) Midlothian Community Groups/ Strategic Groups Organisations Involved Local Action Group (LAG) Representative Organsisations Scottish Women's Rural Institute SAC Advisory Office Midlothian Voluntary Action National Farmers Union Midlothian Federation of Community Councils Pentland Hills Regional Park Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian East Lothian Council East Lothian Voluntary Organisations Network Midlothian Council Association of East Lothian Community Councils Midlothian Tourism Forum East Lothian and Midlothian Chamber of Commerce East Lothian Tourism Forum Forestry Commission Lothian Association of Youth Clubs

6. Tyne Esk LEADER 2007 – 2013 Funding £2.34 million Grant Action 1 (Local Innovative Projects) Maximum 50% of total project costs Maximum £50,000 Action 2 (Trans Regional and Trans National) Maximum 70% of total project costs Maximum £50,000 Funding cannot be awarded retrospectively i.e. expenditure incurred prior to a project receiving approval. Any project under £5,000 will be sent to LEADER and not the RPAC

7. General Info • Who Can Apply? • Projects cannot commence before approval of funding • Funding cannot be awarded retrospectively • All grant assistance must be claimed within two years • The project must be based within the Tyne Esk LEADER area to which application is made. • Projects must start within 3months of approval CLAIMS • Up to 70% of the total grant award can be claimed before project completion. • 30% of the grant award will be withheld untilall conditions of grant have been satisfied and the project completed/ final claim submitted

8. Evidence of match funding must be provided prior to the issue of the final approval letter offering LEADER grant. Other European grants cannot be used as match funding How much match funding is needed? Up to 50% can be from LEADER (or max £50,000) 45% from Public/ Private/ In-kind contribution 5% from the Applicant In-kind Contribution In kind contribution may not exceed 20% of the overall cost of the project Applications involving in-kind contributions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Project Officer for further information. Time sheets Match Funding

9. Eligible Expenditure • Capital – Infrastructure e.g. building works or material goods • Revenue – Staffing, Consultancy Fees, Staff Travel, Premises Costs Ineligible Expenditure • Financial and other charges • Legal Expenses • Recoverable VAT • Staff related costs: redundancy payments, unfunded pensions • Items that are statutory requirements

10. Application Process Stage 1: Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the LEADER Project Officer, who will be happy to discuss your project proposals and answer any queries. Stage 2: Completion of an Initial Enquiry Form available from the LEADER Project Officer or the Tyne Esk LEADER website and should be returned to the Project Officer. Stage 3: If your project is eligible for funding you will be invited to complete an application form. Stage 4: The application will be assessed and presented to the Local Action Group (LAG) for consideration at one of their quarterly meetings.

11. Scoring System Scoring of Applications There are 4 categories of decision: • Approve • Approve subject to conditions • Deferred • Declined How are applications scored? - scoring criteria

12. www.tyneesk.co.uk LEADER in East Lothian and Midlothian The Tyne Esk LEADER Programme provides grants for projects that will benefit the rural areas and communities of East Lothian and Midlothian. The programme will run from 2008-2013. Projects assisted will be innovative in nature and must demonstrate community support and involvement. The programme has the overall aim of revitalising communities in our rural areas and in doing so, promote a progressive rural economy. How do I apply? Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the LEADER Project Officer whose details can be found on the Contact Us page. Who will be happy to discuss your projects proposals and answer any queries. You will then be asked to complete an Initial Enquiry Form and if your project is eligible for funding you will then be invited to complete an Application Form. The LEADER programme is now accepting Initial Enquiry forms for the first application deadline of 4th August 2008 with a further deadline on 3rd November 2008. How do I apply?

13. For an informal chat and/or to request an information pack contact: LEADER Project OfficerC/o Economic Development DivisionEast Lothian CouncilCarlyle HouseLodge StreetHaddingtonEH41 3DXTel: 01620 827101Fax: 01620 827482 Leader@eastlothian.gov.ukwww.tyneesk.co.uk