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1st OCTOBER LAUNCH OF NEW GRANT FUNDING THROUGH LEADER

The Peak District Rural Action Zone (RAZ) has been awarded RDPE funding provided by the EU and Defra totaling £1.9m until 2013. The funding, awarded by the east midlands development agency and Advantage West Midlands is to be delivered via the ''LEADER'' method, a bottom-up approach to rural development and delivery.

The initiative is designed to deliver RDPE measure aimed at enhancing rural productivity and improving the quality of life in the Peak district with a particular focus on grant assistance to projects from very small rural businesses and social enterprises too small for the main RDPE programme.

Implementation will be overseen by the Peak District RAZ Local Action Group and the initiative managed by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership.

What is funding available for?

With effect from 1st October 2008:

Grant's from £3,500+ are available to assist with the following

Improving the economic viability of land-based business through support for diversification into non agricultural activities and local added value initiatives (applicants must be members/work for a farming household).

Supporting new micro-enterprise activity and helping existing micro-enterprises (less than 10 employees and £2m turnover/social enterprises) to develop new projects involving the development and/or promotion of local products and services.

LONGER TERM, ACTIVITY WILL INCLUDE:

Support sustainable tourism development and enhancing rural heritage by developing business clusters in key growth areas such as local heritage, local foods, recreation & adventure and local community led projects.

Supporting rural skills development e.g. through training and mentoring programmes for farming families to encourage diversification and collaboration and environmental training on ''greening your enterprise''.

Improving access to rural services such as pilot programmes to support rural retailers and other key services for rural communities.

Proposals which integrate environmental management and resource efficiency, using new technologies/renewable energy solutions will be particularly encouraged.

Who can apply for grant funding?

You can apply if you are:
• a land based business
• a farmer or from a farming family
• a sole trader
• self employed
• working from home
• a business employing less than 10 people,
• a social enterprise
• thinking of starting your own business
• working or planning to work in collaboration with other businesses

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