Introduction and Wash Fens Location Map

Funding is available through the Wash Fens Local Action Group for projects that are located within the Wash Fens area and are eligible for funding.

Click here to view eligible area/ wards - Wash Fens RDPE Map (PDF)

Types of Eligible Project Activity - Wash Fens funding is available in the following areas:-

• Diversification into non agricultural activities - to support farmers to increase their incomes by diversifying into non-agricultural activities.
• Support for the creation and development of micro businesses - to encourage the creation and growth of micro-enterprises that will support a strong, diverse economy and broaden the quality and range of jobs available locally.
• Encouragement for tourism activities - to encourage more day visitors and overnight stays by improving tourism infrastructure and supporting tourism businesses to become more sustainable.  
• Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage - to conserve and enhance local heritage as a basis for sustainable economic growth, particularly in relation to recreation and tourism. 
• Training and information- To equip farmers,micro enterprises, tourism businesses and community groups with the skills required to enhance the rural economy.

Who can apply?

• Farmers and members of a farm household undertaking farming activity
• Micro -Enterprises (includes social enterprises and individuals wishing to start a micro enterprise)
• Businesses, social enterprises, charities and other formally constituted group  
  

Grants

• Grants are available between £3,500 - c.£10,000 for eligible activities (subject to de minimis rules)
• PRIVATE SECTOR funding must be used to match fund projects where applicable (normally at least 50%)
• All applicants will be required to register with the Rural Payments Agency  
  

Application process

• Project applications will be assessed through the Local Action Group – comprising representatives from the Private, Public and Voluntary sector.
• There are two stages to the application which will take approximately 3 months if information is received promptly;

1. Submission of an Expression of Interest application to the Local Action Group
2. If the Expression of Interest is eligible and sufficiently meets the objectives and priorities, the project will be asked to submit a full application.

You can submit an Expressions of Interest (EOI) at any time.  If your EOI is successful and you are invited to submit a full application, this must be submitted by set deadlines in order to ensure it is  considered at the next available Approval Panel. 

If you have an idea for a project please contact the Wash Fens Local Action Group Manager to arrange a meeting to discuss your proposals and the application process.  The form and guidance notes are available to download here.

  Click here to download  the Expression of Interest form

  Click here to view the Wash Fens Prospectus 

State-aids Regulations

The European Commission takes a strict stance over State Aid rules. State Aid rules apply to funding under RDPE in different ways depending on which Programme measure the support falls under. The EU Rural Development Regulation (Council Regulation 1698/2005) provides the basis for the State Aid rules for most of the programme measures. Please see the Defra website for RDPE State Aid guidance information, http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/documents/rdpe/stateaidguid.pdf

Measures supported under RDPE/LEADER funding are only allowed to be delivered if ‘de minimis’ rules are adhered to. RDPE projects which are subject to de minimis rules can only be awarded up to a maximum threshold of €200,000 over a three-year rolling period, including the current and two previous financial years (i.e. it is cumulative). Therefore, grant support awarded to businesses, groups or individuals in previous years may prevent or limit the amount of RDPE grant funding that can be offered.

If you are concerned that the State Aid rules may affect an application to Wash Fens, please contact Frances McIntyre via the contacts page to clarify your position.

Does the project have to meet minimum quality standards?

Leader projects are expected to encompass the best possible standards relating to project management, financial management, people management, production methods, buildings and facilities, environmental management and energy usage.

For further details or to discuss a project idea please contact:

Frances McIntyre
Local Action Group Manager
Wash Fens Rural Development Programme
c/o South Holland District Council
Priory Road
Spalding
Lincolnshire    PE11 2XE

Tel:  01775 764496 or 07920 295150
Email:  Click here to Contact Us