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In January 2008, as part of a competitive bidding process, a partnership of the New Forest Local Action Group, New Forest District Council and the New Forest National Park Authority successfully submitted a bid for £2.1 million of funding from the EU's RDPE (Leader) programme 2008 – 2013.

The bid proved successful and the New Forest Local Action Group has been allocated £2.1 million of RDPE (Leader) funding.

What is RDPE (Leader) 2008 - 2013?
Since 1991 the EU has distributed funding through different programmes, called variously LEADER I, LEADER II and LEADER+ (the latter has been available in the New Forest and ended in December 2008). The new funding programme will just be called The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Leader.

The Rural Development Programme is jointly funded by the EU, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the UK Government. The UK RDPE 2007-2013 has a budget of £3.9 billion. This is more than double the budget available for the previous programme which ran from 2000-2006. Further information can be found at Defra's website

Part of the RDPE budget will be delivered using the 'Leader' approach. This is a delivery mechanism through which money allocated to the Rural Development Programme for England can be spent. It is designed to enable 'bottom-up' community involvement in rural development.

How much funding has been allocated to the New Forest?
The total RDPE (Leader) allocation to the New Forest Programme is £2.1 million.

All successful grant recipients must provide their own 'match-funding' contribution to their project. This can vary between 10 – 50% depending on the type of grant recipient and the nature of their project. It is anticipated that this will contribute an additional £2 million pounds to rural development activities in the New Forest.

What will this funding be spent on?
In the New Forest RDPE (Leader) will be used to support certain types of capital investment in farming, forestry and horticultural businesses as well as small rural businesses (fewer than 10 members of staff) which are land based (i.e. contractors) or use/add value to local produce. Grants for investment in alternative energy technologies can also be given to farmers and foresters.

In addition New Forest RDPE (Leader) can provide grants to build or improve community facilities in the New Forest. These grants can be given to businesses, social enterprises, charities and other formally constituted groups.

Further information on the funding priorities for New Forest RDPE (Leader) can be found in our Local Development Strategy (LDS)

The apportionment of funding across these two groups is shown in the following table. It is a requirement of the RDPE programme that at least three quarters of the available funding should be allocated to rural business support.

Total Grant Funding Available 2008-2013    £1,741,671 
Funding for rural businesses 2008 - 2013    £1,339,971   77% 
Funding for community facilities 2008 - 2013    £401,700   23% 

In addition, a proportion of the total funding allocation must be used to administer and publicise the programme, and fund activities such as support for grant applicants as they develop and manage their projects. This will account for a maximum of £411,961 over the 5 years of the programme.

How long is the funding available in the New Forest?
From Jan 2009 – December 2013

Which parts of the New Forest does the funding cover?
The map available on this website shows the New Forest RDPE (Leader) programme area and the parishes which are included within that area.

The New Forest RDPE (Leader) boundary is based on that of the National Park, but also incorporates a number of surrounding rural parishes in order to include as much farmland as possible. This will ensure that the area includes the majority of the producers generating goods derived from the New Forest, as many are located around the periphery of the National Park.

In general, RDPE (Leader) funding is restricted to rural areas with a population of less than 150,000 and for this reason some of the urban areas have been excluded from the New Forest Programme area

How do I apply?
This website contains all the information you will need to undertake a basic check to see whether you and your project idea are eligible for support. It also has the forms necessary to submit an initial Expression of Interest, however please check your eligibility before you do so.

If you are a rural business click here

If you are a community group click here

If you cannot find the information you require, click here for our contact details

What size grants are available?
Depending on the RDPE (Leader) funding available, and the type of project requiring funding; grants of £2,000 - £50,000 are available.

Who makes the decisions about which projects to fund?
Decisions about what will be funded by RDPE (Leader) in the New Forest will be made by the Local Action Group (LAG). LAG members are drawn from public, private, voluntary and community organisations and meet approximately 5-6 times a year to assess project applications.

This ensures that New Forest RDPE (Leader) funding is being used to fund projects and activities which meet local needs.

Further information on the Local Action Group can be found here.

What is New Forest District Council’s role in RDPE (Leader)?
New Forest District Council (NFDC) will act as 'Accountable Body' for the RDPE (Leader) programme in the New Forest. This means they undertake the administrative and financial management of the programme on behalf on the Local Action Group.

The RDPE (LEADER) Programme is fully funded and the budgets take account of the cost of staff and the administrative / finance function provided by NFDC.

What is the New Forest National Park Authorities role in RDPE (Leader)?
Staff from the New Forest National Park Authority will be providing potential applicants with RDPE (Leader) project development support. This staff time is being provided by the NPA as 'in-kind' match funding support.

What happens at the end of RDPE (Leader) funding in 2013?
There is no guarantee that the EU will have similar funding programmes available after 2013.