A pot of £750,000 of European funding (EAFRD) is being made available to small, growing rural businesses across Northamptonshire.
It is part of Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership’s (NEP) commitment to boosting economic growth and prosperity in the rural sector.
Live from today (Tuesday, September 1), this is one of two calls (the other for projects providing a shift towards a low carbon economy in Northamptonshire) for European funding currently being made to local businesses.
NEP, in partnership with business, local authorities, skills and VCS organisations, will make the £750,000 available to help micro and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) – new or established – operating out of Northamptonshire’s rural areas, expand and create new jobs.
Who is eligible?
The EAFRD funding will deliver individual grants to:
- Micro & small businesses based in rural locations including social enterprises
- People who want to start a business in a rural area
- Farmers or members of the farm household diversifying into non-agricultural activities
Projects associated with rural tourism and the food and drink processing sectors will be prioritised.
Grants of up to around £140,000
Up to 18 projects will be funded in the NEP geography. Grants available will range from £35,000 to a maximum of approximately £140,000 (200,000 Euros) and can cover up to 40 per cent of a project’s total costs. Projects must have a total value of at least £87,500 to be eligible for funding.
The EAFRD funding will aim to create at least 63 new jobs in the area, boost tourism and visitor numbers, increase the turnover of businesses and increase productivity in the rural economy.
Funding surgeries
NEP will be holding a series of drop-in information sessions, hosted by dedicated rural and business advisers, for would-be applicants across Northamptonshire in September and October to give help and guidance on the new EAFRD funding.
- 23rd September – 10.00am-1.00pm – South Northants Council offices
- 13th October – 10.00am-1.00pm – East Northants council offices
For further details and to confirm attendance, email Emma Powlett, click here.
Additional sessions will be organised soon.
For further information and links to guidance on eligibility, click here.
Applications must be submitted by 5.00pm on Friday 27 November 2015.