The New Forest LEADER programme has been supporting New Forest businesses and community projects since 2015 and is due to finish in 2020. We anticipate that the remaining grant budget could be fully allocated by Spring 2020 with all successful projects completed, and grant claims submitted, by Autumn 2020.

An alternative source of funding for business development, food processing and tourism projects may be found through the Government’s RPDE Growth Fund, which is currently open and inviting new Expressions of Interest. However, these must be submitted before 16 February 2020.

Further information on the RDPE Growth Fund can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme. Please direct all enquiries about the RDPE Growth Fund to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). Their contact details can be found via this link in the booklet “How to fill in your Expression of Interest Form”.