West of England LEADER Fund reopens - but its a very limited pot!

The West of England Rural Development Programme have announced that the LEADER fund has reopened for applications, with a deadline of 4th October 2018. The fund had previously closed in January due to over subscription in the area.

The West of England is the combined area of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils. Applications are now being invited under the following priorities:

• Increasing farm productivity

• Micro-enterprises and small enterprises including farm diversification

• Rural tourism

• Rural services

• Culture and heritage

• Increasing Forestry and woodland productivity

Items that will be funded are very specific, so if you are considering some capital expenditure in the next 12 months, get in touch with us immediately to see whether it will be covered. A limited number of grants of between £5000 and £40 000 are available, at a 40% funding rate.

We don't know when (or if!) funding like this will be around again, so grab the opportunity while you can!