100 likes | 119 Views
Learn about the aims, outcomes, and funding opportunities of the LEADER Programme aimed at boosting the rural economy in England. Discover who and what LEADER funds, key priorities, grant details, application process, and more. Find out how to access further information and get involved!
E N D
An introduction to LEADER 2014 - 2020 Countryside Stewardship €3.875bn (£3.1bn) Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) Growth Programme €221m (£177m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) • Aim: To grow the rural economy in England • Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs • Minimum grant: £2,500 • National priorities: • Support to increase farm productivity • Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification • Support for rural tourism • Provision of rural services • Support for cultural and heritage activity • Support for increasing forestry productivity
What will LEADER fund? LEADER will fund farmers, foresters, rural businesses and rural communities to help: • create jobs • develop rural businesses • support the rural economy 70% of all projects must directly support the rural economy. 30% of projects will also need to demonstrate that they are contributing to improving the local rural economy.
What will LEADER fund? Projects must meet Local Development Strategy (LDS) priorities and at least one of the national 6 priorities for support as outlined below. • Support to increase farm productivity • Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification • Support for rural tourism • Provision of rural services • Support for cultural and heritage activity • Support for increasing forestry productivity
What LEADER can’t fund • Most revenue costs – LEADER is predominantly a capital funder • projects the applicant is required to do by law or to meet a legal requirement • costs for anything that’s a standard industry obligation, for example requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme
How much grant can you get? The amount of funding available depends on: • type of project • size of business • the costs involved (not all costs of the project may qualify for funding) • The minimum grant is £2,500 • The maximum grant is €200,000 – set at the de minimis limit
LEADER Programme - process • There is a two-tier application process for LEADER: • Outline Application • Main Application • Matched funding is required – normally 60% of the project costs from your own sources • Planning permission would need to be in place (together with any other statutory permissions)
LEADER Programme - process • Decision making processes can vary in time – on average 6 months • If successful, grant payments are made retrospectively • Monitoring requirements will be in place during the grant period and for a short while after • The project activity needs to be maintained for at least 5 years after the final grant payment
Further information: You can find further information about the LEADER programme by: Visiting the LAG websites: www.makingitlocal.org www.realdevon.org OR National information can be found on the‘DEFRA RDPE 2014 – 2020’ web portal