LEADER programme

LEADER is a source of funding for farmers, foresters, other small, rural businesses and community groups to enable them to strengthen their support for the local economy. Grants of up to £50,000 are available.

Value: £3,300,000

Partners:

• Bedfordshire County Council
• Buckinghamshire County Council
• Buckinghamshire Economic and Learning Partnership
• Buckinghamshire Rural Action Group
• Community Impact Bucks
• Chilterns Conservation Board
• Chilterns District  Council
• National Farmers Union

Funders:

The LEADER funding is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) with the money coming via DEFRA.

Approach:

Projects must demonstrate that they are environmentally and economically sustainable in order to be awarded a grant. A project must support at least one and preferably more of the following themes: Farming; Food and Woodland; Improving Farm Economics; Developing Environmentally Sustainable Tourism; Conserving Environmental and Cultural Heritage; Meeting the Challenges and Opportunities of Climate Change; Community Development.

Outputs:

• 130 SMEs recruited to the programme
• 20 Group Facilitators recruited to the programme
• 8 Large networking events organised
• 15 regional case studies developed
• 8 newsletters published

Case Studies:

EJ Lacey & Sons – dairy farming
Lower Gade Farm – firewood
Moat Farm – meat processing
Parslow Apiaries – beekeeping

LEADER projects:

• Cycle path
• On farm campsites
• Village pub
• Wood chip machinery
• Log splitter
• Sawmill
• Farmers markets
• Village shops
• Community bus service
• Farm cutting room
• New premises for an apiary

For more information on the LEADER programme, visit the LEADER website.

Talk to us today!

To find out how we can work with you to ensure efficient
and effective delivery of your next project, just give us a call.

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