Who can apply?

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Community and Voluntary Organisations
• Business Associations
• Public Agencies
• Businesses via Mini Programmes or Schemes

Projects seeking funds from LEADER must be able to demonstrate that they are:
1) led by the Community, and/or of benefit to the Community,
2) a pilot project, or  demonstrate innovation in the way the project is put together, the way it is managed, the project design or what it will deliver.
3) a fit with our aims
4) and must be within our eligible area.

WHAT CAN YOU APPLY FOR?
LEADER can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs. These costs can be for revenue and capital items. The types of costs which are eligible and ineligible are listed at the bottom of this page. LEADER cannot fund projects that have already started.

WHAT ABOUT MATCH FUNDING?
The non-LEADER funding (or 'match funding') can be from public or private sources. Ideally 5% should come from the applicant's own resources. Other european grants cannot be used as match funding. 

CAN WE USE 'IN_KIND' FUNDING AS MATCH FUNDING?
'In-kind' activities are things that happen when no money changes hands. For example, a volunteer's time, or donated capital works such as a farmer using a tractor and trailer to remove earth, and not charging for it. 'In-kind' funding can be used as some of the match funding, however please be aware that:

-If your organisation is providing say volunteer time as a match cost, you would need to provide a letter confirming this with your application.
-We would need to see evidence of how you had come up with the value for time provided
-An audit trail will be required for all hours contributed – timesheets for volunteers would be required.

WHAT ABOUT PROJECTS THAT FALL UNDER TWO 
DIFFERENT LEADER AREAS?
Please contact both LEADER offices, and this will be progressed jointly.

ELIGIBLE AND NON_ELIGIBLE COSTS:
The types of activity which are ELIGIBLE for LEADER funding (please note this is not a definitive list) include:
Capital Projects
Site/building acquisition
Professional fees
Site Preparation
External and internal services
Physical building works
Essential fixtures and fittings
Environmental improvements
Provision/improvement of community visitor/cultural facilities
Feasibility studies

Revenue Projects
Staffing costs
Professional/ consultancy fees
Travel costs
Lease/rental of premises relating to delivery of eligible project
Purchase/leasing of equipment
Financing of capital costs
Insurance costs relating to delivery of project
Operating costs of premises
Marketing
Direct overheads
Childcare costs
Non-recoverable VAT
In-kind contributions

 INELIGIBLE costs for LEADER funding include:
Bank charges on accounts
Recoverable VAT
Staff costs that are not directly attributable to project delivery
Training that is mandatory under statutory provision
Redundancy payments
Payments for unfunded pensions
Maternity or sick pay
Expenditure defrayed outwith the eligible programme period, including site acquisition.
Related research or studies carried out in respect of the project prior to the official project start date
Volunteer costs unless an ‘in-kind’ contribution which may be considered eligible
Gifts and competition prizes
Statutory responsibilities of housing, health, social work, school (main curriculum) and higher education
Routine repairs and maintenance
Projects which merely replace an existing facility or scheme
Works which are required to meet statutory UK/Scottish legislation or EU directives
Social welfare facilities, although there is scope to improve access to childcare

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