The next closing date to submit Expressions of Interest, for assessment in June, is on or before Tuesday 15 May 2018. For further submission dates please click here
Click Here for a quick guide to the application process.
Please Note: As a result of the outcome of the EU Referendum, we have been advised by Defra that the National LEADER programme will be closing in December 2019 rather than December 2020 as originally planned. This means that the final date for submitting Expressions of Interest is 31 July 2018 with successful applicants being able to complete their projects and claim grant monies by 30 November 2019.
Step 1: Eligibility Checks
You will need to check that your business or organisation, your location and your project are eligible for LEADER support. Click on the + below for details:
Click HERE for the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more information about eligibility and the application process.
Please be aware:
- LEADER is a capital grant programme (funding certain types of buildings, equipment & machinery) – it will not fund salaries, rents, consumables, advertising, stock or training.
- For commercial projects LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000. The minimum grant amount you can apply for is now £5,000.
- LEADER cannot fund ‘standard’ agricultural equipment or buildings e.g. basic farm tractors or barns for livestock/fodder etc. Investment must be in equipment which has an element of innovation or takes a business above ‘standard’ agricultural practice. Please refer to the Applicant Handbook for more information.
- Applications must be approved, and a contract issued, before you can commit to project expenditure.
- Plan ahead – the application process could take 6 months from start to the project receiving the go-ahead (this includes the time it takes for the applicant to complete the forms).
To apply for LEADER funding the applicant, or their project or beneficiaries, must be in a LAG area. Check the map below or visit our eligible areas page.
Applications can be made by farmers, growers, foresters, other rural businesses and rural community organisations who are in the New Forest LEADER LAG area. They can be:
- Private businesses;
- Public organisations;
- Voluntary organisations; or
- Someone who wants to start a business
Applicants must be a ‘legal entity’ and able to sign a legally binding contract.
A sole trader is classed as a legal entity
How to determine business size?
The size of the business depends on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees it has and its financial performance:
Business categories:
Micro
Number of FTE* employees: fewer than 10
Turnover or balance sheet Total: €2m (about £1.6 million) or less
Small
Number of FTE* employees: fewer than 50
Turnover or balance sheet Total: €10m (about £7.9 million) or less
Medium
Number of FTE* employees: fewer than 250
Turnover or balance sheet Total: €50m (about £39 million) or less
*What is an FTE employee? Anyone who works a minimum of 30 hours per week counts as 1 FTE employee. A person working 30 hours a week for 3 months of the year would be 0.25 FTE employee. FTEs include business partners and directors. If a business partner or director works more than 30 hours per week they still count as 1 FTE employee.
Linked Businesses
The business will be treated as one legal entity if it is linked with one or more other businesses. The applicant therefore needs to take into consideration the FTE employees and financial information of any other businesses to which they are formally connected. See the Applicant Handbook for details.
LEADER will fund farmers, growers, foresters, other local rural businesses and rural community organisations to help:
- create jobs;
- develop rural businesses; and
- support the rural economy.
LEADER is primarily a capital programme, supporting investment in buildings, equipment & machinery.
Different LEADER areas may focus their funds on different types of project, depending on the specific needs of their rural area.
Click on each priority below to see more detail about the types of activity New Forest LEADER will fund:
(For farm diversification projects please see Priority 2 ‘Support for micro & small rural businesses’)
These grants will support a wide range of farm investments. They are particularly for businesses that want to invest in innovative business practices and new technologies to help them become more sustainable and productive
Who can apply?
- Farmers, growers and other landowners based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Businesses processing agricultural products based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Groups of farmers & growers based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
What is eligible?
- Certain types of investment in innovative business practices and new technologies to help farm businesses become more sustainable and productive. Costs for standard agricultural equipment and standard agricultural buildings are not eligible.
- Investment must lead to clear economic gain rather than simply ecological or amenity benefits.
There are 3 main types of projects that could be supported:
a. Investment to improve the overall performance and sustainability of an agricultural holding;
Applications for grants could include:
- equipment and machinery to improve the efficiency of the use of energy, water, fertiliser and other direct inputs;
- equipment and machinery to reduce impacts on soils (like specialist drills to enable low or zero tillage farming) and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
- investments to improve facilities for slurry/manure management; and
- investments to modernise or mechanise production and increase productivity.
b. Investment to support animal health and welfare improvements:
Applications for grants could include:
- equipment and machinery to improve the efficiency of use in animal feed and other products;
- improvements to livestock housing to improve animal welfare or energy efficiency;
- equipment and machinery to improve animal handling.
c. Investment in the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products.
Applications for grants could include:
- investment in equipment, technologies or processes to reduce waste;
- investment in equipment, technologies or processes to develop new or higher quality products;
- marketing activity, excluding hard copy material, associated with the above investments;
- construction or conversion of buildings to be used for processing activities.
Costs could include:
- construction, acquisition or improvement to immovable property;
- the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment (but must be above ‘standard’ agricultural / horticultural practice)
- general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
- intangible investments including acquisition or development of computer software;
- acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights and trademarks.
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, (although it is recognised that efficiency improvements may lead to job reductions) and /or
- Innovation in terms of innovative equipment or infrastructure or new ways of working
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations.
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Businesses and organisations outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation
- Investment incurred before the project is approved and an offer letter issued.
- Costs for standard agricultural equipment and standard agricultural buildings are not eligible – Investment must be in equipment which has an element of innovation or takes a business above ‘standard’ agricultural practice.
- LEADER funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance.
- Land purchase
- LEADER funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements or standard industry obligations, for e.g. requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme.
- Training – subsidised training may be available through other grant schemes – refer to what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible.
How much can I apply for?
LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
However, if the project involves processing of agricultural produce, the amount of the grant and the % depends on the type of end project – please contact the New Forest LEADER Programme Office for details before you apply.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute a minimum 60% own funding towards the eligible costs of the project (no other public funding can be used as match funding).
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
- developing or starting micro and small businesses in rural areas; and
- farm diversification projects
Who can apply?
Micro and small* businesses, including social enterprises, based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
New business start-ups in the New Forest LEADER area; and
Farming businesses that want to diversify (expand into non-farming activities).
*defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 10 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million (micro) or employ fewer than 50 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million (small).
What is eligible?
- Capital investment to support new business start-ups
- Investment which improves productivity and help small businesses to grow.
- Investment which improves energy and resource efficiency in small businesses
- Investment which supports the development, processing and marketing of new products and services.
Costs could include:
- construction, acquisition or improvement to immovable property;
- the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment;
- general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
- intangible investments including acquisition or development of computer software;
- acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights and trademarks.
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, support start-ups and stimulate economic growth
- Diversification projects which support the core farm business, not replace it.
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Businesses and not for profit groups outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Businesses or not for profit organizations with more than 50 FTE (full time equivalents) employees and/or annual balance sheet in excess of EUR 10 million.
- Salaries, stock, consumables and running costs;
- LEADER funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance.
- LEADER funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements.
- Training – subsidised training may be available through other grant schemes – refer to what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible
In addition, it is unlikely that the following projects / applicants will be considered for New Forest LEADER support:
- Refurbishment of offices / guest rooms etc. -unless it forms part of a wider project which meets the priorities for funding.
- Educational establishments / projects -unless they can demonstrate that the investment will create jobs and support growth in the local economy.
How much can I apply for?
LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
However, if the project involves processing of agricultural produce, the amount of the grant and the % depends on the type of end project – please contact the New Forest LEADER Programme Office for details before you apply.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute a minimum 60% own funding towards the eligible costs of the project (no other public funding can be used as match funding).
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
The kinds of tourism business start-up and business development projects that are likely to attract funding will be those making the best use of local resources, developing high quality visitor products and services that link tourism providers, extend the tourism season and encourage visitors to stay.
Who can apply
Micro and small* businesses (this includes farm businesses diversifying into tourism activities), based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
*defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 10 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million (micro) or employ fewer than 50 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million (small).
- a community group that wants to invest in small-scale infrastructure to support and develop tourism;
- a group of rural tourist businesses working together to develop groups of activity;
- local authorities and administrations;
- public-private partnerships;
- Non-Governmental organisations (NGOs);
- organisations in charge of tourist and recreational development, for example a destination organisation (that is, an organisation whose role is to promote tourism in a particular location or area).
What is eligible?
- The development of high quality visitor products and services that are appropriate to the local environment and communities and encourage tourists to stay longer, link tourism providers together and extend the tourism season;
- Support for tourism activities/niche products linked to quality local food, landscape, culture, heritage and rural crafts/assets;
- Support for shops, catering services – restaurants and cafes where there are wider benefits to the local tourism economy;
- Developing innovative technology that enhances collaboration between businesses and provides information to attract visitors.
Costs could include: - construction, acquisition (including leasing) or improvement to immovable property;
the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment; - general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
marketing and promotion where these are part of a larger project; - capital costs involved in supporting events and festivals (for example equipment hire, marquee hire, marketing development costs);
- intangible investments including, acquisition or development of computer software and acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights, trademarks.
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, support start-ups and stimulate economic growth
- Diversification projects which support the core farm business, not replace it.
- Applicants who demonstrate that:
- They make optimum use of local supply chains, natural or local resources (including people and cultural / heritage assets) and / or
- The project will help to extend the visitor season or encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Businesses and not for profit groups outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation. link to LEADER area page)
- Businesses or not for profit organizations with more than 50 FTE (full time equivalents) employees and/or annual balance sheet in excess of EUR 10 million.
- Salaries, consumables, stock and running costs;
- Moveable fittings such as soft furnishing, beds, tables, chairs, curtains, television and audio equipment, crockery, cutlery, small kitchen equipment;
- LEADER funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance;
- LEADER funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements;
- Training (subsidised training maybe available through different grant schemes – see what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible).
In addition, it is unlikely that the following projects / applicants will be considered for New Forest LEADER support:
- Refurbishment of offices / guest rooms / kitchens etc. -unless it forms part of a wider project which meets the priorities for funding.
- Educational establishments / projects -unless they can demonstrate that the investment will create jobs and support growth in the local economy.
How much can I apply for?
LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
However, some types of non-profit making project that have a benefit in terms of value added to the wider local tourist economy may attract a higher grant rate. Please contact the LEADER programme office to discuss this.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute a minimum 60% own funding towards the eligible costs of the project (no other public funding can be used as match funding).
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
This focuses on the promotion, enhancement and maintenance of cultural heritage assets and events where this promotes growth in the tourism economy and:
- creates a sense of local identity through raised awareness of their importance; and/or
- helps protect cultural heritage features against damage and degradation.
Who can apply
- landowners;
- rural community groups;
- local authorities (in exceptional circumstances, where for example the local authority can show that the project and the funding required is in addition to their statutory requirement to provide this kind of activity and the project will be of benefit to farmers, landowners and/or rural communities).
What is eligible?
- The costs of construction and/or restoration of buildings and other physical assets, including general costs such as architects and engineering fees;
- The costs to enhance, restore and upgrade the cultural and natural heritage of villages and rural landscapes and high nature value sites;
- The conservation of small scale built heritage;
- The costs to enhance cultural and community activities and investments to enhance venues providing cultural and heritage activity; and
- The costs of events linked to cultural activity.
Costs could include:
- construction, acquisition (including leasing) or improvement to immovable property;
- the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment;
- general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
- marketing and promotion (but not printed materials) where these are part of a larger project;
- capital costs involved in supporting events and festivals (for example equipment hire, marquee hire, marketing development costs);
- intangible investments including, acquisition or development of computer software and acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights, trademarks.
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, support start-ups and stimulate economic growth
- Applicants who demonstrate that:
- They make optimum use of local supply chains, natural or local resources (including people and cultural / heritage assets) and / or
- The project will help to extend the visitor season or encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Businesses and not for profit groups outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Businesses or not for profit organizations with more than 50 FTE (full time equivalents) employees and/or annual balance sheet in excess of EUR 10 million.
- Salaries, consumables and running costs;
- Funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance;
- Funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements;
- Training (subsidised training maybe available through different grant schemes – see what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible).
In addition, it is unlikely that the following projects / applicants will be considered for New Forest LEADER support:
- Refurbishment of offices / community buildings -unless it forms part of a wider project which meets the priorities for funding.
- Educational establishments / projects -unless they can demonstrate that the investment will create jobs and support growth in the local economy.
How much can I apply for?
For commercial projects LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
However, some types of community led investments which are non-profit making, but have a benefit in terms of value added to the wider local economy, may attract a higher grant rate of up to 80%. Please contact the LEADER programme office to discuss this.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute their own funding towards the eligible costs of the project, depending on the nature of the applicant and project.
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
These grants are for projects that aim to alleviate some of the difficulties faced by rural communities, particularly the lack of access to services and the provision of infrastructure. Projects should make a contribution to growing the local economy.
Who can apply
These grants are for:
- Micro and small* businesses based within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
*defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 10 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million (micro) or employ fewer than 50 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million (small).
- rural community organisations;
- public or private entities working in partnership with small and micro business and rural community groups; and
- local authorities (in exceptional circumstances, where for example the project outcomes are enhanced by their inclusion, or the local authority can show that the project and the funding required is in addition to their statutory requirement to provide rural services).
What is eligible?
- setting up, improving or expanding essential rural services for the local community;
- innovative community transport initiatives enabling rural residents to access services and employment
- developing village infrastructure and access to key services, which may include tourism projects that increase services for the local community and contribute to village renewal;
- creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments in renewable energy systems which would not be eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) or Feed-In tariffs (FITs);
Costs could include:
- construction, acquisition (including leasing) or improvement to immovable property;
- the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment;
- general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
- marketing and promotion where these are part of a larger project;
- capital costs involved in supporting events and festivals (for example equipment hire, marquee hire, marketing development costs);
- intangible investments including, acquisition or development of computer software and acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights, trademarks.
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, support start-ups and stimulate economic growth
- Applicants who demonstrate that:
- They make optimum use of local supply chains, natural or local resources (including people and cultural / heritage assets) and / or
- The project will help to extend the visitor season or encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Businesses and not for profit groups outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Funding cannot be used to support statutory service provision.
- Salaries, consumables, stock and running costs;
- Funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance;
- Funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements;
- Training (subsidised training maybe available through different grant schemes – see what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible).
In addition, it is unlikely that the following projects / applicants will be considered for New Forest LEADER support:
- Refurbishment of offices / community buildings etc. -unless it forms part of a wider project which meets the priorities for funding.
- Educational establishments / projects -unless they can demonstrate that the investment will create jobs and support growth in the local economy.
- Sports clubs, youth groups or other community activities – unless they can demonstrate that the project creates jobs and growth in the local economy.
- Activities which do not have a clear benefit to New Forest’s rural communities i.e. whose beneficiaries are largely urban residents or from outside the LEADER programme area.
How much can I apply for?
For commercial projects LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
However, some types of community led investments which are non-profit making, but have a benefit in terms of value added to the wider local economy, may attract a higher grant rate of up to 80%. Please contact the LEADER programme office to discuss this.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute their funding towards the eligible costs of the project, depending on the nature of the applicant and project.
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
LEADER funding will aim to deliver permanent new supply chains and jobs that, at the same time, restore regular management to local woods and encourage a greater degree of added value to the areas timber output.
Who can apply?
- Land owners and their tenants;
- Small & Medium* sized businesses & not for profit organizations operating within the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
*defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 50 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million (small) or employ fewer than 250 FTE employees and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 50 million (medium) .
What is eligible?
The proposed investment must lead to clear economic output rather than simply ecological or amenity benefits.
- Investments in machinery and equipment to help the production, extraction, mobilising, processing and marketing of timber and non-timber forest products;
- the processing, mobilising and marketing of products for new forestry technologies;
- investments that enhance forestry potential or add value to forest products by processing, mobilising or marketing;
- the costs of developing wood-fuel supply chains;
- transportation of wood within a forest by specialized forestry equipment, excluding standard transport activities; and
- investments in the production, processing and marketing of non-timber forest products, including game.
Costs could include:
- construction, acquisition or improvement to immovable property;
- the purchase, hire purchase or lease purchase of new or second-hand machinery and equipment;
- general costs such as architect, engineer and consultation fees (limited to 15% of the project’s total eligible costs);
- intangible investments including acquisition or development of computer software;
- acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights and trademarks
New Forest LEADER will give priority to:
- Investments which create and sustain jobs, (although it is recognised that efficiency improvements may lead to job reductions);
- Investments which enhance forestry management;
- Innovation in terms of innovative equipment or infrastructure or new ways of working;
- Collaborative projects with other businesses and organisations.
What won’t New Forest LEADER fund?
A comprehensive list of costs which cannot be claimed is found in the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, and include:
- Applicants outside of the New Forest LEADER area of operation.
- Funding cannot be provided for ‘like for like’ replacement of equipment and infrastructure; investments must generate an improvement in performance.
- Investments in equipment and biomass boilers for domestic use.
- LEADER funding cannot be used to meet any legislative requirements.
- Large scale or industrial processing undertaken by static machinery with an annual processing capacity that is more than 10,000m3;
- Hand tools (including chainsaws) and consumables;
- Investments in woodland creation or the management of woodland itself;
- The preparation of woodland management plans.
- Land purchase;
- Forest or other wooded land owned by the Crown, central or regional governments, or by government-owned corporations;
- Training (subsidised training may be available through different grant schemes – see what if my business/location / project isn’t eligible).
How much can I apply for?
For commercial projects LEADER will grant fund a maximum of 40% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
The minimum grant amount you can apply for is £5,000. At the 40% grant rate the minimum project size is therefore £12,500.
What will I need to contribute?
The applicant will need to contribute a minimum 60% own funding towards the eligible costs of the project (no other public funding can be used as match funding).
There is a limit to the amount of public funds that an applicant can receive over a given period. Please refer to the Applicant Handbook for more detail.
Can I apply more than once?
In principle yes, but it will depend on a number of factors including the size of the grant, the proposed activity, whether you have had any other public funding and competition for grants.
- the type of project;
- the size of the business; and
- the costs involved (NB: not all the costs of a project may qualify for funding)
Applications must be for at least £5,000 of grant and a maximum grant amount of £75,000.
For commercial projects, grants will typically be limited to a maximum of 40% of the project’s total eligible costs. However some types of not for profit applicant or projects can get higher rates – see the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for details.
If your business or project is outside of the New Forest LEADER area, there are other LEADER Local Action Groups across the UK who may be able to help. Details are available on the Defra website www.gov.uk/rural-development-programme-for-england-leader-funding.
If your application for LEADER funding is successful, we will expect your project to start within 6 months of approval.
All applicants need to demonstrate their business is viable and how grant funding will help the business to develop. We may ask to see a formal Business Plan and financial projections with your application and you are advised to put this in place before you start the application process– information and guidance on writing a business plan is available at Help and Support
The Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) may have funds to support certain types of training activity in other rural and urban businesses. For information go to: www.gov.uk/applying-for-grants-growth-programme
Successful applicants could be subject to audit visits at any point over the 5 years, to ensure the LEADER grant funded items are still owned and used by the business.
If the terms aren’t followed for the entire period, we may withdraw the grant offer or recover some – or all – of the money paid. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information.
Therefore you need to make sure you can afford to pay for the whole of the proposed project in the short term and will need to consider the impact of this on your cash flow.
The applicant must therefore have resources to pay for the remaining eligible costs, and all ineligible costs, with private money, such as savings or a bank loan. You will need to provide evidence when you apply that your contribution is in place.
However certain types of investment on farms which improve productivity, improve the efficiency of use of farm inputs and improve slurry/manure management may be eligible – please refer to the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook.
Alternatively certain types of investment in farms may be available through Defra’s Countryside Productivity Scheme. Please contact Defra direct for more information via www.gov.uk/how-to-apply-for-grants-countryside-productivity.
If ownership doesn’t pass to the applicant until after the end date of the LEADER Programme in 2020, it will not be eligible – please discuss this with the LEADER Office before applying.
Planning Permission is however required prior to submitting your full application. This also applies to projects which may create a ‘change of use’ of your residential or business premises.
Please also ensure that any conditions imposed by the planning permission will not delay the start of the project, or restrict the proposed activities of the project itself. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information.
If the applicant business is a tenant and the items included in the grant application are dependent on rented premises in which to operate, we may need to see that you have at least a five year lease. If this is an issue, please discuss with the LEADER Office before you apply.
Before you go on to Step 2, can you answer ‘YES’ to the following questions?
- I have checked the map and my business is located in the New Forest LEADER area
- My business appears eligible for LEADER funding – if you are unsure please contact the LEADER Office
- My project appears eligible for LEADER funding – if you are unsure please contact the LEADER Office
Step 2: How to apply
There are two stages to the application process – an Expression of Interest and a Full Application.
Applications are assessed at both stages and only the highest-scoring at the Full Application stage will be successful.
Click HERE for the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more information about eligibility and the application process.
Applicants must download the the Expression of Interest form and Completion Guidance notes (available below).
Please note: Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Excel attachment to an email. We will not be able to open application forms saved in formats that are not compatible with the version of Microsoft Excel used for the form. If we can’t open the application form, the application will be rejected.
In addition, we cannot accept any other format of electronic form submission, including PDF documents or scanned documents. Nor can we accept hard copy printed applications or hand-written applications.
On the the Expression of Interest form, applicants will need to give the following details about their proposed project:
- their business or organisation details;
- the location;
- what the objective is;
- how it will be done;
- who will benefit from it (for example, how it will help the business to grow and create jobs, or what difference the project will make to the rural economy);
- how it will benefit other businesses, including suppliers;
- how much it will cost;
- why a grant is needed to fund it; and
- how much funding is needed, for how long and what the money will be spent on.
The Local Action Group meets to consider Expressions of Interest approximately every 6-8 weeks. The submission dates for Expressions of Interest are available HERE
Once the form has been submitted, applicants will receive an email acknowledgement from the LEADER office.
The form will then be checked to make sure it includes all the right information.
Before starting to complete the Expression of Interest form you must read the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook, available HERE, as this contains important information about eligibility.
As you complete the form you must also refer to the Guidance on completing the Expression of Interest form, available HERE. This explains what is required at each question.
You must complete all sections of the Expression of Interest form, otherwise it may be rejected.
Download the Expression of Interest Form
Being invited to submit a Full Application is no guarantee of grant funding.
If the Expression of Interest is successful, applicants will be sent a Full Application form with a deadline for when it needs to be submitted together with all of the supporting information. This will typically be 4 months. Being invited to submit a Full Application is no guarantee of grant funding.
The Full Application form asks for more detail about the project – building on the information given at the outline stage. Read the New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook for more information about the application process.
An example of the Full Application form, annex and Applicant Guidance are provided for potential applicants to see what is involved in submitting a full application to LEADER. Please note: They are to be used as examples only as forms and guidance are subject to change. If your Expression of Interest(the first stage in the process) is successful you will be sent all the necessary forms. This ensures you are using the most up to date documents.
EXAMPLE Full Application Applicant Guidance