FVL LEADER published a Local Development Strategy that guides what the Local Action Group is looking to fund in the area. A summary of the objectives of this strategy is available here. However, the Local Action Group has decided to prioritise its funds for specific project types, which are listed below:
1. Food and Drink projects
2. Sustainable Tourism projects
3. Environmental Landscapes - built and natural
4. Community Empowerment projects
5. Creative Industries projects
FVL LEADER was allocated £2.78 million to invest in the development of the rural area. Some of these funds are ring fenced for projects as in the chart below.
The LAG have set a lower limit on applications as they will not fund applications for under £5,000 and have set an upper limit on applications to the Farm Diversification & Rural Enterprise fund (outlined below) of £25,000. There is no upper limit for applications to the main grant scheme but, as the fund is limited, applications for higher sums would have to deliver substantially on our strategic priorities in order to be successful.
At FVL LEADER, we've ring-fenced some of our budget to specifically support farm diversification and rural enterprise (small rural businesses).
Within the Farm Diversification & Rural Enterprise fund, we can fund up to £25,000 per project, with up to 50% intervention rate. Alternately, we are offering a small fund, specifically for project feasibility studies, up to £2,500 per project, with up to 70% intervention rate.
Here is a brochure outlining the basic information you need to know for the farm diversification element of our ring-fenced funding:
Here is a brochure outlining the basic information you need to know for the rural enterprise element of our ring-fenced funding:
