SOLWAY, BORDER AND EDEN AND NORTH PENNINE DALES LOCAL ACTION GROUPS

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1 SOLWAY, BORDER AND EDEN AND NORTH PENNINE DALES LOCAL ACTION GROUPS New Rural Development Programme Growth Programme and LEADER The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

2 Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund (EAFRD). The RDPE Programme consists for four funding schemes. Forestry Commission RPA Rural Development Countryside Stewardship Countryside Productivity Natural England Rural Development Programme LEADER Growth Programme Local Action Groups RPA Rural Development Local Enterprise Partnership RPA Rural Development

3 3 Scheme Countryside Productivity Growth Programme LEADER Aim To support improvements in farm and forestry productivity To encourage strong rural economic growth and create new jobs To support growth in the local rural economy Target beneficiaries Farmers and forest holders Rural businesses Farmers, forest holders, rural businesses and rural communities Delivery Organisation Rural Payments Agency RPA and Local Enterprise Partnerships Local Action Groups EAFRD Budget 141m 177m 138m Project Selection Rural Payments Agency Rural Payments Agency Local Action Groups

4 Growth Programme: Priorities for Rural Development - EAFRD This fund provides support for rural businesses to start-up, grow and expand, improve knowledge and skills, develop broadband and renewables and encourage tourism. Funding will be made available through open and competitive funding calls which will be issued at regular intervals. Applications will involve a two stage process, submitted to the Rural Payments Agency (within DEFRA) who will evaluate applications and contract with successful bidders.

5 5 Growth Programme: Key Messages Cumbria currently allocated 9.2m of EAFRD funding Future calls Likely to be issued in September 2016 Tourism accommodation development, high quality, focus on attracting international visitors, grants over 50k attractions, infrastructure improvements, activities and events particularly to attract international visitors, grants over 35k Cooperation activity to improve attractiveness of the destination e.g. through development of supply chain

6 Growth Programme: Further Information For further information on the Growth Programme go to the Cumbria LEP website:

7 7 Growth Programme: Key Messages North East currently allocated 10.5m of EAFRD funding Tourism - 5m provisionally allocated High quality accommodation development Infrastructure improvements Investing in Destination Management Organisations Minimum grant level will be at least 35k For further information on the Growth Programme go to the North East LEP website:

8 LEADER Uses local knowledge to promote a joined up community led delivery of Rural Development Programme (RDP) funds. Delivered by Local Action Groups Agreed Local Development Strategies Solway, Border and Eden and North Pennine Dales LAGs The LEADER programmes aim to fund farmers, foresters and other local rural business and communities to help: Create jobs Develop rural business Support the rural economy Deliver local and national LEADER priorities

9 Map of LAG Areas

10 LEADER New Programmes started Autumn 2015 Finish 31 December 2020 Ensure that all LEADER projects contribute to rural jobs and growth 70% project funding directly in support of jobs and growth 30% directed at rural projects demonstrating economic impact National LEADER priorities Increase farm productivity Increase forestry productivity Support micro and small businesses and farm diversification Boost rural tourism Provide cultural and heritage activities Provide rural services

11 Current Calls Open In Solway, Border and Eden Small and micro scale non-agricultural businesses Farm diversifications Small scale tourism and recreational opportunities In North Pennine Dales Currently accepting applications to all six priorities including supporting rural tourism

12 Current Tourism Call This call invites applications for investments that develop small scale tourism and recreational opportunities which build on the distinctiveness of the Solway, Border and Eden area. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will attract more visitors and create new sustainable job opportunities. Applications are encouraged that provide higher quality or better tailored products to add value and exploit new product opportunities that demonstrate significant increases in gross value added (GVA) and which avoid displacement of other businesses and activity.

13 Examples of types of investments developing high quality visitor products and services that encourage tourists to stay longer, link tourism providers together and extend the tourism season; developing quality accommodation where there are clearly defined wider benefits to the local tourism economy and where activities do not displace existing accommodation; supporting tourism activities/niche products linked to quality local food, culture, heritage and rural crafts/assets; supporting shops, catering services restaurants and cafes where there are wider benefits to the local tourism economy; developing small scale access infrastructure to help people connect to the natural environment such as paths and cycle-ways; supporting tourism information centres and associated visitor information; interpretation, marketing and signposting of culture, leisure, heritage, visitor activities or attractions.

14 Budgets, Outputs and Eligibility Limited budgets LEADER focus on smaller investments Eligible beneficiaries farmers, landowners, small and micro rural businesses, social enterprises, forest holders, community organisations Outputs jobs created, businesses assisted Intervention rates up to 40% de minimis for commercial projects, up to 80% for other projects (100% grants only in exceptional circumstances) Grants in arrears so project will need to be able to cashflow Eligible costs refer to Handbooks Can t fund: Projects that don t fit with priorities of programme Projects that have already started (if the project has phases the applicant must clearly identify the phase for which support is requested) Projects that will be delivered outside the LAG area Projects that will not be delivered and financially complete by 2020

15 Application Process Detailed guidance on programmes is available on websites and by contacting the LAG Team. 2 stage process Outline application Full application Project ideas contact relevant LAG via /website enquiry

16 Contact Details Websites