Introduction and CAZ Location Map
Funding is available through the CAZ Local Action Group for projects that are located within the CAZ area and are eligible for funding.
Click here to view eligible area/ wards - CAZ RDPE Map (PDF)
Types of Eligible Project Activity
CAZ funding is available in the following areas:-
- Diversification into non agricultural activities - Helping land based businesses in the Coastal Action Zone to find new income streams to increase their viability.
- Support for the creation and development of micro businesses - Stimulating and supporting new and developing business growth.
- Encouragement for tourism activities with the emphasis on diversification and quality enhancement, marketing of tourism and developing the cultural offer.
- Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage - Encouraging the upgrading of the area's rural heritage to enhance the cultural offer to visitors and benefit the rural community
- Training and information- Encouraging provision of training and skills development to assist long term sustainability in the area for those involved in diversification into non agricultural and tourism activity, Micro business development, conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage.
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 from £3,500 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;
- Submission of an Expression of Interest application to the Local Action Group
- If the Expression of Interest is eligible and sufficiently meets CAZ objectives and priorities, the project will be asked to submit a full application.
We can receive Expressions of Interest applications at any time but full applications must be with us by set deadlines in order to be considered by the Local Action Group Approval Panel meetings, full applications and all associated documentation must be received by the following dates:-
|
2011 Full Application Submission Deadlines |
2011 LAG Approval Meetings |
|
Monday 17th October 2011 |
Wednesday 7th December 2011 |
|
2012 Full Application Submission Deadlines |
2012 LAG Approval Meetings |
|
Next Deadline: Monday 28th November 2011 |
For: Wednesday 25th January 2012 |
|
Monday 30th January 2012 |
For: Wednesday 21st March 2012 |
|
Monday 7th May 2012 |
For: Wednesday 27th June 2012 |
|
Monday 30th July 2012 |
For: Wednesday 19th September 2012 |
|
Monday 15th October 2012 |
For: Wednesday 5th December 2012 |
If you have an idea for a project please contact the CAZ Local Action Group Manager to discuss and obtain an Expression of Interest form. If you wish to complete a form and send, it is available to download here.
Click here to download the Expression of Interest Form
Click here to download the Expression of Interest Guidance Notes
Click here to view the CAZ information leaflet
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/rdpe/pdf/stateaidguid.pdf.
LEADER RDPE projects are subject to de minimis rules which means there is a limit to the amount of funding that can 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, please contact Jo Finlow 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:
Jo Finlow
Local Action Group Manager
Coastal Action Zone
5 Rutland Road
Skegness
Lincolnshire
PE25 2AD
Tel: 01754 610 557, Mobile: 07827 083 405
Email: Click here to Contact Us
