Latest News
Funds Update
posted on January 31, 2013
We now have a little more money to award to projects and as such we are holding an appraisal panel in mid March. If you have already submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) or application we will respond to you as soon as possible.
If you have been invited to submit a full application and are working on it please submit your documentation as soon as possible and let us know if we can help at all. Please bear in mind that because this LEADER Programme is due to close at the end of December projects will need to be completed within the next 6 months or so. This is to ensure claims can be submitted and payments made before the Programme ceases.
If you haven’t already done so but would like to submit an EOI please do so but also please note that we will probably not respond until we know whether there are any funds left after the March appraisal panel. Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Hurry - current LEADER funding drawing to a close
posted on July 6, 2012
This might be your last chance to apply for funding from the current North Wessex Downs LEADER Programme. We are holding what is likely to be our last appraisal panel week commencing 24th September so if you would like to make an application please do so as soon as possible. The first step is to download an Expression of Interest form and send it in. If you are then invited to make a full application we will need your completed forms and supporting material by 31st August at the very latest. If we receive more good project applications than we can now fund the Local Action Group will prioritise projects and hold a "reserve list" in case more money becomes available over the next few months.
Second round of Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) now open for applications.
posted on July 5, 2012
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme is part of the RDPE and is a scheme of support developed to help farming, forestry and horticultural businesses in England to become more efficient at using resources. The scheme aims to make businesses more profitable and resilient whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment.
A FFIS handbook and application form can be downloaded from the Defra website if you would like more details: www.defra.gov.uk.
RDPE funds and the cuts
posted on November 25, 2010
The RDPE Network will continue to operate through to 2013. Overall responsibilities for the Network will now transfer to the new Rural Communities Policy Unit in Defra from the 1st Dec 2010 onwards.
In the mean time, it is 'business as usual' and we remain committed to delivering LEADER funds, so please keep feeding in your ideas and opportunities to North Wessex Downs LEADER.
Keep updated on the RDPE Network through its website, by telephone (01242 534054), e-mail or twitter.
Prince's Countryside Fund
posted on August 3, 2010
If yours is a rural project The Prince’s Countryside Fund might be another grant source relevant to you. The Prince's Countryside Fund has three goals:
- To improve the sustainability of British farming and rural communities, targeting the areas of greatest need;
- To reconnect consumers with countryside issues; and
- To support farming and rural crisis charities through a dedicated emergency funding stream
The charitable objects of the Fund are:
- the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in farming and/or rural areas;
- the advancement of education in all matters relating to farming and/or rural areas;
- the prevention or relief of poverty in farming and/or rural areas;
- the advancement of health in farming and/or rural areas;
- the promotion, for the benefit of the public, of any charitable purposes and in particular charitable purposes connected with rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation throughout the UK by all or any of the following means:
(a) the relief of financial hardship;
(b) the advancement of education, training or retraining, particularly among unemployed people, and providing unemployed people with work experience; and
(c) the provision of financial assistance to promote employment opportunities in farming and/or rural areas.
British LEADER project database
posted on July 6, 2010
Unsure of whether your project is worth a LEADER bid?
Case studies of sucessful projects are available for you to read at the RDPE Network. There is a whole database of hundreds of examples of business investments such as A Corner of Eden which have been through the LEADER application process, and were awarded money by their Local Action Group.
Please remember that each LEADER area has its own local priorities, so you must check that your proposals are in line with the themes of the North Wessex Downs LEADER Programme.
