LEADER grant funding – The Brexit clock is ticking

LEADER is a local development grant funding programme which is available to small and medium sized rural businesses; farmers looking to diversity; tourism projects; foresters; heritage projects and other rural enterprises. The funding is designed to help rural businesses to create jobs and support the rural economy. Local Action Groups (LAGs) determine projects which best meet key priorities and award grants accordingly.

For an application to be successful it must contribute to one or more of DEFRA’s six priorities. These are to:

• support micro and small businesses and farm diversification
• boost rural tourism
• increase farm productivity
• increase forestry productivity
• provide rural services
• provide cultural and heritage activities

Grants are typically limited to 40% of the projects total eligible costs with the minimum grant that can be applied for being £2,500 and the accepted, but not official maximum being £50,000.

The LEADER programme runs to 2020, however the Rural Payments Agency has issued guidance to LAGs urging them to endeavour to have all LEADER funds committed by the end of March 2019. As a result, it is recommended that Expression of Interest forms to start the application process are with the appropriate LAG by the end of October 2018.

Members of Fisher Germans Knutsford office have recently secured a LEADER grant near to the maximum amount available for a client and therefore have the necessary experience and knowledge to assist with applying for LEADER funding to support your project.

Please contact Blue Archer in the Knutsford office on 01565 757970 or email blue.archer@fishergerman.co.uk to discuss how Fisher German can help you with your LEADER application.