LEADER+ and Rural Development Programme for England

West Oxfordshire Network LEADER+ 2000 - 2006 Programme

LEADER+ is a European funded programme to support the quality of life for people living in rural communities. It runs from 2002 until 2008.

In West Oxfordshire, the LEADER+ programme is developed and managed by the West Oxfordshire Network (a local partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations). They oversee funds of £1.4 million (European and Government funds), as well as £500,000 allocated by SEEDA (The Regional Development Agency). This money is made available to support local projects that help to improve quality of life in rural West Oxfordshire through the pursuit of new ideas.

The main funding stream closed in 2006, but there is a Delegated Fund available that can offer small grants of up to £5000 for projects in rural West Oxfordshire. Grants need to be match-funded by other funding and/or in-kind contributions, and all project spend has to be completed by September 2008. Please call us if you'd like more information, or an application form.

To find out more information about the LEADER+ programme, and to see examples of the kind of projects we have funded so far, please visit the West Oxfordshire Network Website

or contact:
Sara Anthony (LEADER+ Programme Manager)
Tel: 01993 861484

Rural Development Programme for England 2008 - 2013

Following on from the success of the LEADER+ programme in West Oxfordshire, a group of organisations called the Cotswolds Inter-Regional Partnership has formed a Local Action Group (LAG) in parts of West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Cotswold Districts. You can view a map of the new LAG area by clicking the link on the right.

The group is applying for a new stream of grant money from the European Union through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The RDPE is jointly funded by the EU, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the UK Government. The new Programme will be used to safeguard and enhance our rural environment and foster competitive and sustainable businesses and thriving rural communities. It will provide financial support for a wide range of activities including Environmental Stewardship, skills development, farming and forestry diversification, food processing and marketing, renewable energy supply chains, climate change mitigation and a new LEADER programme.

The Cotswolds Inter-Regional Partnership submitted an bid for £2.5million to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and South West England Development Agency (SWRDA) in January 2008. Our application is now being assessed by panels in the South East and South West regions, and we hope to have a decision from both areas as to whether our funding has been successful by July 2008.

LATEST NEWS!

SEEDA are due to report to us on the outcome of our application in the South-East portion of the LAG area by 13th May 2008. Watch this space!

If this application is successful, the money will be used to establish a fund to support rural projects in an area of the Cotswolds covering over 212,000 hectares and a population of almost 145,000. Projects will be able to apply for funding from 2008, and money will be available for projects that focus on important rural issues such as:

· Training for farmers, foresters and food businesses

· Modernisation of agricultural holdings

· Improving the economic value of forests

· Adding value to agricultural and forestry products

· Co-operation for the development of new products

· Diversification into non-agricultural activities

· Support, creation and development of micro-businesses

· Encouragement of tourism activities

· Basic services for the economy and rural population

· Village renewal and development

· Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage

· Training and information for micro-businesses

Projects will be able to apply for funding of between 30% and 80% of the total project cosr, depending on type, with match funding required from other non-public sources.

If you live or work in the Local Action Group area, and would like further information or to be involved in any way, please email Becky Simms or call us on 01993 861483.