LEADER Funding Workshop
Session 1: Overview of LEADER
Frances McIntyreLocal Action Group Manager
Session 1 – Overview of LEADER
• Key Facts about LEADER
• LEADER in Lincolnshire
• Who can Apply/Grants Available
• Example Projects
A detailed Applicant Handbook will be released in October. All workshop participants will be sent a copy.
LEADER - Key Facts LEADER is a delivery method being used to distribute funding from the
Rural Development Programme for England
Rural Development Programme for England(Defra)
Countryside Stewardship £3.1 billion
Growth Programme £177 million
Countryside Productivity£ 140 million
LEADER £138 million
Local Action Groups(LAGS)
Natural EnglandForestry
Commission
Rural Payments
Agency
Local Enterprise
Partnerships
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
LEADER - Key Facts
• The term LEADER is derived from a French acronym:
• 80 approved LAG areas in England https://www.gov.uk/rural-development-programme-for-england-leader-funding
• Due to start in October 2015. Runs until the end of 2020.
Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale
Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development
LEADER - Key Facts
Aim: To support and grow the rural economy
• Jobs and growth are a key requirement
• No automatic entitlement to a LEADER grant – not a ‘Gift’
• The LAG will be looking for a good return on their investment (The economic benefits/outputs you can deliver)
• LAGs have growth targets that they must achieve
• Competitive process - Projects that demonstrate the highest levels of benefit will be prioritised.
LEADER - Key Facts All applicants must demonstrate how their project will support the local economy, such as
• Creating jobs• Developing a new or existing rural business• Increasing tourism visitors• Improving rural services and communities
• LAGs must use a least 70% of their funding to support projects that create direct growth
• Additionality: LEADER supports projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen, or it enables them to happen faster or on a larger scale.
LEADER - Key Facts • Not for: routine expenditure, standard equipment or
statutory requirements
• Not for: Repairs, like-for-like replacements of existing items or activities that have already started
• Not for: Propping up failing businesses
LEADER in Lincolnshire
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/funding
£1.42m
£1.28m
£1.75m
£1.53m
Not available in built-up urban areas; Lincoln, Grantham, Boston, Spalding
LAG PrioritiesEach LAG sets its own priorities that reflect the local area and make-up such as;
Each LAG has identified a number of priorities For full list go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/funding
Wash FensTo increase investment in agriculture, the food industry and its supply chain
to drive productivity, improve sustainability and reinforce the area's
position as a centre for food excellence.
LAZRealising the Potential of our Environment, Heritage and
Community Assets – to sensitively enhance the key environmental and
heritage strengths of the LAZ
CAZDiversify & Enhance the Coastal Area
for example, by creating and enhancing visitor facilities including
covered facilities
KestevensDevelop Creative & Innovative
Workspace/Enterprise Hubs investment that create opportunities
to share resources, make connections, provide business support & encourage
support clusters
LAG Area
• The project or activity must take place in a LAG area
• Assets must be held in the LAG area
• An organisation located outside the LAG area can only apply if the planned activity is within the LAG area eg a nature reserve, cycle path, visitor centre.
• Grants for activities that cross LAG borders will be apportioned
Grant Rates
Match funding must come from the private sector
In-kind contributions or own labour cannot be used as match funding
Commercial Projects
Grant 40%Private Funds 60%
Non-Profit Making Projects*
Grant 80%
Private Funds 20%
*Where there is some income to off-set costs. Up to 100% where there is no income, eg cycle paths.
How much can we apply for?
• Minimum grant is £2500 (£3,500 in the LAZ )
• Maximum grant €200,000 (£141,302 @ 1/9/15)
• Average grants typically between £2,500 to £40,000.
• Higher grant amounts will be offered in exceptional circumstances, for example where significant outcomes will be generated.
• De Minimis State Aid Rules; Maximum available in any rolling 3 year period = €200,000. Other public funding already received may count toward this.
• The actual grant awarded will always be the lowest amount required for the project to proceed.
Project Size
The smallest commercial project eligible for LEADER is £6,25040% Grant: £2,500 + 60% Match: £3,750 = £6,250
(£8,750 in LAZ LAG)
The smallest non-profit making project eligible for LEADER is £3,125 (where there is some income to off-set costs)
80%: Grant: £2500 + 20% Match = £625 = £3,125 (£4375 in LAZ LAG)
For non-commercial projects where there is no income to off-set costs the smallest project is £2500 of (£3500 in the LAZ LAG).
Eligible CostsPrimarily a capital grants scheme that funds the purchase of physical assets (5 year life-span). Costs could include;
Equipment Machinery Construction work
Intangible investments eg the development of bespoke computer software/technology:
Eligible CostsSome revenue costs are eligible ;
• Professional fees – eg the cost of architects, engineer, consultation fees (restricted to 15% of total project costs and only for costs incurred after grant approved)
• Marketing –the costs of digital design, but not hard copy printing
• Festivals/Events - Equipment hire, Marquee hire, Room/field hire
• Limited salary costs associated with the development of a community or not for profit project:
- In exceptional circumstances only. LAGs will have to seek permission on a case by case basis.
- Must be clearly linked to supporting rural jobs and growth- Would cease as soon as the project was running
Ineligible Costs
Running costs, Reclaimable VAT, Planning fees, Movable fittings, (tables, chairs, beds, small kitchen equipment), landscaping (unless part of making good), Plants/trees
Types of Grant Available
1. Increasing Farm
Productivity2. Supporting
Micro and Small Businesses and
Farm Diversification
3. Boosting Rural Tourism
4.Providing Rural Services
5. Supporting Cultural and
Heritage Activities
6. Increasing Forestry
Productivity
LEADER Priorities
1. Farm Productivity What are the grants for?• Support a wide range of farm investments. • Particularly for businesses that want to invest in
innovative business practices and new technologies to help them become more sustainable and productive.
Who can apply ?Farmers, groups of farmers, processing businesses with less than 250 employees
1. Farm Productivity
2. Support for Rural Business and Farm Diversification
What are the grants for?• To start up a new rural business • To grow an existing rural micro enterprise or small businesses. • This Priority covers most industries and business activities, apart
from agriculture (funded under Priority 1)
Who can apply?• Businesses with fewer than 50 staff and turnover of less than
€10m (circa £7.1m)• Farmers wanting to diversity into non-agricultural activities• People starting a new business
2. Support for Rural Business and Farm Diversification
3. Rural TourismWhat are the grants for?• Developing high quality visitor products and services • Linking tourism providers• Extending the tourism season and • Encouraging visitors to stay longer
Who can apply?• Micro or small businesses (inc. farmers diversifying into tourism) • Community group • Group of rural tourist businesses working together • Local authorities and administrations;• Public-private partnerships;• Non-Governmental organisations (NGOs);
3. Rural Tourism
4. Rural ServicesWhat are the grants for?• Projects that aim to alleviate some of the difficulties faced by
rural communities• Particularly the lack of access to services and the provision of
infrastructure.
Who can apply?• New or existing micro or small businesses;• Rural community organisations;• Public or private entities working in partnership with small and
micro business and rural community groups • Local authorities (in exceptional circumstances, must fall outside
of their statutory requirement to provide rural services)
4. Rural Services
5. Cultural & Heritage Activities
What are the grants for?• Promotion, enhancement and maintenance of cultural heritage
assets and events where this supports growth in the tourism economy and:
• Creates a sense of local identity through raised awareness of their importance; and/or
• Helps protect cultural heritage features against damage and degradation.
Who can apply? • Landowners; • Rural community groups;• Local authorities (in exceptional circumstances, must fall outside
of their statutory requirements for this type of activity)
6. Forestry Productivity Not available in the Wash Fens - For information on forestry activity go to
www.forestry.gov.uk/england
What are the grants for?• To deliver permanent new supply chains (and jobs)• Restore regular management to local woods (with
Management Plans in place) and,• Encourage a greater degree of added value to the timber
output
Who can apply ? • Owners of private forestry holdings or • Small and medium-sized forestry contracting businesses (Up
to 250 employees)
6. Forestry Productivity
Other Funding Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub – Local funding, advice and business support schemes www.businesslincolnshire.com
Gtr. Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/funding
Open Call: Tourism (Minimum grant £50,000) Closing date: 27/11/15
https://www.gov.uk/european-structural-investment-funds/tourism-call-in-greater-lincolnshire-14rd15to0002
Countryside Stewardship https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countryside-stewardship
Countryside Productivity: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-productivity-scheme
Growth Programme:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/growth-programme-grants-for-the-rural-economy
Other Funding
LCC Community Facilities Grant
Village halls, community buildings, recreation grounds, playing fields, play areas and facilities for young people.http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/community-and-living/community-and-voluntary-sector-support/grants-and-funding/community-facilities-grant-aid
Lincolnshire Funding Portal - Online hub of community grants and funding information
http://www.idoxopen4community.co.uk/lincolnshire/
Any questions?