(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.

Funds under this priority will be used to provide grants for:

• 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.

Yes, your business must be based within the New Forest LEADER area. The LEADER Area map is available on our website. If in doubt please contact the LEADER Office.

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.

When you apply to LEADER you are taking part in a competitive process, and not all good applications will be approved. The grant panel will consider a number of factors in deciding which projects to fund and how much grant funding to award. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook describes this in more detail.

Unfortunately not, because LEADER is a prior approval scheme – you must go through the application process and if successful a contract will be issued, before you commit to any expenditure relating to the approved project. This includes ordering equipment or paying a deposit; this is checked on your bank statements etc. when you submit your grant claim. Failure to adhere to this may invalidate your grant award.

All grant applications must go through a formal approval process; this is a requirement of EU funding. The grant application submission and approval process may take up to six months from start to finish, depending on the timing of your submission. For this reason, LEADER funding may not be suitable for projects with a tight completion deadline. If this is the case, please discuss this with the LEADER Office before applying.

If your application for LEADER funding is successful, we will expect your project to start within 6 months of approval.

We welcome applications from business start-ups as well as established businesses, although please be aware that the minimum grant size is £5,000 (at 40% grant rate this equates to a total project spend of £12,500).
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

LEADER is predominantly a capital grant programme; funding investment in buildings, equipment & machinery. LEADER cannot fund salaries, running costs, consumables (including packaging and publicity materials). This is because LEADER funded items must have a life-span of at least 5 years. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information.

Unfortunately, LEADER cannot fund training. Instead, support for training, knowledge exchange and demonstration activity for agriculture, horticulture and forestry will 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

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 who are offered a grant will need to follow the terms of the Grant Funding Agreement, throughout the whole period – and for 5 years after the date of the final payment. This will be explained in more detail when a grant is offered.

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.

If your application is successful, your grant monies will be paid in arrears once you have paid for the grant funded items in full (although we may be able to arrange stage payments for some types of building project) and they are available for inspection by LEADER staff.

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.

If an application is successful, a LEADER grant will cover a proportion of the eligible project costs; the funding rate depends on the nature of the applicant business and the type of project – it is typically 40% for business applicants. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information on this.

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.

LEADER scheme rules mean that the costs for ‘standard’ agricultural equipment, buildings and inputs (such as animals and annual crops) are not eligible.

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.

As long as it meets certain conditions it can be included in your project application. The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information.

LEADER cannot be used for like-for-like replacement of existing equipment; the grant has to support a significant step-up in performance by the business. It is up to the applicant to justify and explain on your application why this is not simple, like-for-like replacement if you already own similar equipment.

Equipment purchased using leasing agreements can in certain circumstances be grant aided however please be aware that grant monies can only be claimed where the title of ownership is with the applicant i.e. they must own the equipment (most lease finance arrangements retain the ownership with the finance company so carefully check any such arrangements). The New Forest LEADER Applicant Handbook provides more information on this.

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.

Where planning permission or other legal consents are required before you can start the project, you do not need to have them in place before you submit an Outline Application (the first stage in the process), however you will need to show evidence that you have had initial discussions with the Planning Authority and that the proposal is not contrary to local Planning Guidance.

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.

As well as checking the details of your application, quotations, licences etc we may also check publicly available information on your business and /or directors held at Companies House or via other business information services.

An applicant may not get a LEADER grant if the project depends on using other public money like Big Lottery, local authority, levy board funds, or other Government or European grants, such as Countryside Stewardship. However exceptions can be made in the case of certain types of applicant i.e. not for profit enterprises, please discuss this with the LEADER Office.