The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas Rural Development Programme for England (2014-2020) - LEADER Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Action Group Call for applications to support investments which develop small and micro scale non-agricultural businesses, which build on the distinctiveness of the Fells and Dales LAG area. Call Reference Date call open There are several opportunities to submit an outline application to the programme during the year that this call is open. However, funding is limited and the call may close early depending on the availability of funds. CFDLEADER15/160001 Wednesday, 18 th November 2015 for up to one year depending on availability of remaining funds. First submission deadline is Friday, 11th December 2015 at 1700 hours. Second submission deadline is Wednesday, 17th February 2016 at 1700 hours. Third submission deadline is Thursday, 17th May 2016 at 1700 hours. Fourth submission deadline is Wednesday, 17th August 2016 at 1700 hours. Final submission deadline is Thursday, 17th November 2016 at 1700 hours. All respondents should in the first instance contact the Cumbria Fells and Dales Team on fellsanddales@cumbria.gov.uk. Read the LEADER Applicant Handbook that is available to download from our website (www.fellsanddales.org.uk). This explains what applicants must do to apply for a grant, how grant applications are assessed and how to meet the terms of a grant funding agreement if an application is successful. 1
Contents Page: 1) Call Content 2) Scope of the Call 3) Outputs to be delivered 4) How to apply 5) General information 6) Submitting applications 7) Future Calls 2
1. Call Context 1.1. Background The LEADER Programme is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). LEADER is a French acronym which roughly translates as Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development. LEADER is a community based, bottom-up development programme for small rural businesses, communities, and farming and forestry businesses. In England it is being implemented by Local Action Groups (LAGs) - of which Cumbria Fells and Dales (CFD) is one - and is targeted on specific rural areas with particular needs or priorities as identified through a Local Development Strategy. A Local Action Group is made up of local public, private and civil society representatives, who work together to fund projects that help to improve their local rural community and economy. 1.2. Local Context This call invites applications for investments which develop small and micro scale nonagricultural businesses, located in the Cumbria Fells and Dales LAG area. A key aim of the Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER Programme is to support significant and sustainable rural economic growth in the local area in a way that respects the local distinctiveness of the area, fully engages local people and builds stronger, more resilient rural communities. Ninety percent of the businesses in the Cumbria Fells and Dales LAG area (CFD) employ fewer than 50 people. Eighty Four percent employ fewer than 10 people. Small enterprises are, therefore, vital to the rural economy. Some businesses support the agricultural sector, some the tourism sector. Cumbria Fells and Dales area also has thriving food and drink and tourism sectors. Small manufacturing and engineering businesses, some allied to nuclear and defence industries, are also typical of the area. Farm diversification, contracting, and forestry businesses also support growth in the economy. Many businesses in the area that provide basic services and everyday goods also rely at least partly on visitors - these businesses can be harder to grow. Some craft businesses have the potential to grow, though most provide relatively small incomes for the owner. The knowledge and financial economies in Cumbria are smaller but with potential for growth in these sectors. The digital and creative economy sectors also show potential for growth. Business type in the CFD area varies dependent on location. In the Lake District National Park there are many opportunities to tap into the visitor market whilst supplying local need. The area also incorporates the Arnside Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Morecambe Bay to the South, Millom and Walney to the West and the Upper Eden Valley from Penrith out to beyond Kirkby Stephen in the East. We also have 3 parishes currently within the 3
Yorkshire Dales National Park. Therefore, it is crucial in terms of identifying and assessing potential economic actions to develop nuanced, local and appropriate responses. 2. Scope of the Call 2.1. Purpose of Call This call invites Outline Applications which support the delivery of Objective 1 of the Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Development Strategy. Applications are sought from: businesses employing fewer than 10 people to fund expansion programmes which will create new employment; new business start-ups with capital purchases (within one year of commencing trading); community enterprises and social enterprises (CICs, co-operatives etc.); small and medium enterprises that are looking to make a significant step change in the growth of their business. In particular, the call will support businesses which are: taking on their first paid employee; aiming to expand into new production or new markets; using locally sourced raw materials, primarily in the food and drink industry, but also wool, wood and other such materials; aiming to provide an essential business or service that has been lost in an area. Applicants should demonstrate that they are able to create new niches and positions in the market place and sustain growth and expansion plans - understanding your unique selling points will be key to justifying an investment. What do you do that is different, better or creates an opportunity that others do not? Applicants must demonstrate how their project will provide economic growth and job creation opportunities. For every 10,000 of grant, applicants must be able to create at least 1 new fulltime equivalent sustainable job. The call seeks to encourage applications 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. Applications are also encouraged which create wider benefits for the local community and economy. Projects can demonstrate how they create wider benefits for the local community and economy through: The introduction of green technology creating a significant saving in business running costs and/or which moves the business towards a recognised environmental accreditation; Creation of higher value jobs (in excess of 25,000 p.a.); Creation of employment for young people and disadvantaged groups; 4
Use and promotion of local suppliers including food and drink. Examples of types of investments include: development of infrastructure such as workshops, factories, facilities - costs of construction or improvement to immovable property; purchase of equipment and machinery; processing and marketing of non-agricultural and agricultural products; general costs associated with project such as fees, intangible items including acquisition or development of bespoke computer software; and acquisition of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks. 2.2. Geographical Scope All activities are confined to activity and benefit occurring in the Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Action Group geographical area. A list of eligible wards is available on the CFD website (www.fellsanddales.org.uk). If you are unsure, please check with the CFD LAG Team. 2.3. Total Funding Available The total grant funding available for this call deadline is 500,000. Funding will be offered to about 30 projects, but the actual number of projects supported may be lower or higher, depending upon the quality, scale and range of the projects coming forward. All applications are competitive. Projects should be for a maximum of three years; however, the LAG reserves the right to vary the maximum duration if required. 2.4. Size of grants available Grants will be available for this call from 2,500 up to 200,000 (approximately 142,000 at current exchange rates). State aid rules will apply which may affect the amount of grant offered. Further details on state aid rules are available from gov.uk. Applicants can apply for a grant to cover up to 40% of the project s eligible costs. The minimum total eligible cost of a project for this call would therefore be 6,250. Higher grant rates are available for investments which are non-profit making operations that will not generate an economic gain. However, the operations should be able to demonstrate sustainability after the grant period. 2.5. Call Deadlines This is an open call for 12 months with fixed assessment points at 3 monthly intervals depending on availability of remaining funds. There is a short initial assessment deadline of Friday, 11 th December at 1700 hours. 5
3. Outputs to be delivered Applicants need to show how their project will contribute to the achievement of the following outputs: 1. New full time equivalent jobs created (1 full time equivalent = 30 paid hours per week per year on average) 2. Number of businesses assisted 3. Increase in GVA (Gross Value Added) of grant aided business Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate how they will deliver the outputs committed to within the proposal along with any methodology used. All projects will be required to collect evidence to show that outputs have been achieved and report progress with each claim. Further details on the evidence required are available through your LAG contact. 4. How to apply There are two stages to the application process. These are: Stage 1: an outline application Stage 2: a full application Further details on how to apply for a grant are given in the LEADER Applicant Handbook which is downloadable from the Cumbria Fells and Dales website ( www.fellsanddales.org.uk), along with a template of the Outline Application Form. We strongly recommend that all respondents in the first instance contact the Cumbria Fells and Dales Team on fellsanddales@cumbria.gov.uk. We can advise you as to whether we think your project idea fits with the Programme s priorities and whether you are in an eligible area and are an eligible applicant. We can also give you advice about completing your outline application. However it is your responsibility as potential Applicant to decide whether or not you are ready to submit an Outline Application Form and all work to this end is undertaken entirely at your own risk. An applicant will only be invited to submit a full application if their outline application is successful. Work must not start on any part of the proposed project before the applicant has received and signed a grant funding agreement from Cumbria County Council. This includes ordering or paying a deposit on materials or equipment. 5. General Information Please refer to the LEADER Applicant Handbook for general information on eligibility, publicity and procurement requirements etc. The LEADER Applicant Handbook is available to download from our website (www.fellsanddales.org.uk). We strongly recommend you read this in detail. As an approved project penalties may be enforced for non-compliance with RDPE requirements. 6
6. Submitting Applications The completed outline application form, in the approved template, should be sent to fellsanddales@cumbria.gov.uk by the stated deadline. The LAG Team will email to confirm that they have received it. Handwritten outline applications or non-excel compatible formats will be returned to you. If an agent is submitting an application on your behalf the agent must ensure you, the applicant, is copied into the submission. Failure to do so will mean the application is returned to you. If a non-compliant submission is made then re-submission is only possible if this is within the specific call deadlines. If an application is submitted after an official deadline it will not be considered at this point but at a future deadline should there be one. A decision on whether or not you are to be invited to submit a full application, or feedback as to why a decision has not yet been reached, will normally be communicated to you within 20 working days. 7. Future Calls Further calls for projects will be made in coming months. Details will be released on our website (www.fellsanddales.org.uk) as to when these are likely to be open and the types of projects that these calls will cover. 7