The Government has made available a new round of RDPE grant funding under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developments Growth Programme.   The grants, administered by Local Enterprise Partnerships, are focussed on helping existing and new rural businesses to expand, diversify and create more rural jobs.

The available funding focusses on three different areas:

Business Development

This is aimed at new and existing small rural businesses who want to diversify into non-agricultural activities to create more rural jobs. It can help pay for constructing or improving buildings and buying new machinery and equipment.

The Business Development Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs. Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &170,000

Food Processing

This is aimed at food and drink businesses that process agricultural and horticultural products and wish to expand the business,  creating more jobs. The funding can help pay for constructing or improving buildings and buying new machinery and equipment.

The Food Processing Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs.Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &1,000,000 in some circumstances.

Rural Tourism

This is aimed at new or existing farms and rural businesses to help fund the capital costs associated with tourism infrastructure. The focus is on projects that encourage more tourists to visit,  stay longer and spend more money in rural areas.

The Rural Tourism Grant will normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs although if the project is ‘not for profit’ then up to 100% funding is available. Minimum grant funding varies depending on the Local Enterprise Partnership but starts from &35,000 up to a maximum of &170,000

The application process is competitive and applicants will be subject to a rigorous 2 part application process starting with an Expression of Interest. If initially successful, applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. The Application process is now open and closes 31 January 2018

To find out more about the grant process and whether your business might be eligible for funding, contact Tom Heathcote 07918 628983 or email here

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme