£3.7 million in rural grants available

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce that rural businesses, farms and community ventures based in Greater Manchester and Cheshire can apply for £3.7 million in grants.

From Friday, July 10th eligible bodies can submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the NWDA for projects which will boost the rural economy.

The NWDA is releasing the funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), a programme running from 2007-2013 which aims to transform the rural economy and is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and managed by the NWDA.

David Hunter, Head of Rural Development at the NWDA, said:
"RDPE in the Northwest is a significant investment which is working to build a sustainable future for our rural areas. In order for sizeable transformation to take place we need to support projects which will complement our goals to improve productivity, increase diversification and lead to long-term positive change.

"This grant money can make a huge difference and I would urge eligible rurally-based businesses, farmers and social organisations to take advantage of the opportunities this new grant money can provide, particularly during this tough economic climate."

Grants are available for projects under four key aims:

• 1. New ways to add value to farm and forestry products.
• 2. Cooperating on the research and development of new products and processes. *
• 3. Helping farms to diversify into non-agricultural activities
• 4. Creating and developing small rural businesses

The range of grant available will be from £5,000 to £100,000 for Cheshire. The maximum grant for Greater Manchester is £20,000.

1.New ways to add value to farm and forestry products.This is targeted mainly at producers of the primary products of farming and forestry, but can benefit others in the supply chain, such as small businesses which buy local produce and use it to create something else.

Example: A horticultural business might require a new low energy processing and packaging system to improve the product value.

2. Cooperating on the research and development of new products and processesTwo or more farming, food and forestry businesses will be involved; these will be producers, processors and other partners in a supply chain. Primary producers must always be involved and benefit from the cooperation.

Example: A forestry business and a processor might apply for grant aid to trial new uses for wood.  In this case, the costs of testing out a new treatment process and design costs, legal (transaction) fees and purchase of equipment may be supported

3. Farm DiversificationThese projects may include farm shops, equine, environmental services, leisure activities. Funding can cover renovation and new build of small rural buildings for diversified use (not core agriculture) as office or workspace or other diversification projects. A broad range of projects will be considered.

4. Creating and developing small rural businessesRural micro-enterprises (less than 10 workers and less than €2m turnover) can apply. A broad range of projects will be considered.

Greater Manchester will benefit from around £600,000 while Cheshire will be able to apply for around £3.1 million.

Organisations and businesses interested in applying are asked to look on the NWDA website at www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe for full details of each project and information eligibility and how to apply.

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