Download Rural Development Fund Project Themes

Rural Development Fund
Project Themes
THEME 1: INCREASING
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This theme supports the Council’s
Economic Development Strategy of
increasing skills and aspirations of
employees through provision of training
and qualifications to create or safeguard
local employment, increase the number
of people involved in training or business
development.
Applications from existing microenterprises and SMEs, social enterprises
and other not-for-profit organisations are
welcome.
This theme will support:
• training programmes including
bespoke training, technical skills
acquisition and support and its
delivery;
• provision of work placements and
apprenticeships;
• job/training fairs;
• employer training support to put
towards the cost of a new recruit’s
job-related training. (Job is at least 16
hours a week and the job is expected
to last at least 12 months.);
• skills and development training that
addresses specific business and
technical skills, innovation and quality
improvement within the rural area ;
Project Themes
• enabling work placements for hard to
place groups.
Eligible costs
• training that will lead to a
qualification;
• trainers’ salaries, training manuals,
etc.);
• support to businesses to help cover
costs and trainees, work placements
or training;
• training delivery.
Non eligible costs
• training already paid before funding is
confirmed;
• training already completed.
THEME 2: SUPPORTING THE
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
OF BUSINESSES
This fund aims to increase investment,
improve digital technology, creation of
new businesses (including development
of social enterprises) and other business
support that will create local
employment including apprenticeships.
Applications from start-up businesses
including new micro-enterprises, existing
micro-enterprises and SMEs, social
enterprises and other not-for-profit
organisations are welcome.
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While a definitive list of such activities
cannot be provided, industries that might
be supported include:
• retailing, manufacturing or servicerelated businesses, including selfmade products, recreation,
equestrian and creative industries;
• environmental services, including
the traditional trades required to
maintain and enhance the
landscape;
• renewable energy;
• community-led enterprises to
support local economic activities
and growth.
Eligible costs
The following costs will be eligible for
support under this measure:
• grant aid towards the costs of
capital investment;
• start-up revenue costs;
• market research and feasibility
studies;
• research and development;
• marketing support, product
development, branding and design
costs;
• technical support to help new
businesses and social enterprises
become established and to help
existing businesses and social
enterprises to consolidate and
expand.
Non eligible costs:
• stock for resale;
• salary costs for existing employees.
Project Themes
THEME 3: STRENGTHENING
AND DIVERSIFYING THE
VISITOR ECONOMY
This fund will support activities that will
enhance the quality offer by
accommodation providers, visitor
attractions and other tourism-related
businesses, support and develop a
growing programme of events and
festivals that extend the tourism season
and adding value to the economy. This
theme will support funding from £1,000
to £50,000.
Eligible beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries under this project
theme are existing accommodation
providers, visitor attractions, leisure
facilities and festival or event organisers
including town centre partnerships, social
enterprises and not for profit
organisations.
Eligible activities
While a definitive list of eligible activities
cannot be provided, the fund might
support:
• enhancement of accommodation
provision leading to better quality
assurance mark;
• provision of more visitor
attractions via local festivals and
events;
• expansion of holiday
accommodation subject to
planning application approval;
• refurbishment of redundant
buildings for holiday let;
• tourism innovation including green
infrastructure.
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Eligible costs
• support towards the costs of
refurbishment;
• start-up revenue costs;
• marketing support, product
development, branding and design
costs.
Non eligible costs
• property purchase costs;
• contingency costs;
• routine repairs and maintenance;
• match-funding for other ELDCfunded grant schemes.
Organisations are not able to apply
for RDF for the same project.
Any project focussed on planning events
will be required to register their events
with ELSAG (East Lindsey Safety Advisory
Group) and follow event organisers
guidelines as set out in the ‘Event
Organisers Toolkit’ available from the
Council’s website or alternatively by
contacting the Cultural Services Team,
ELDC on 01507 601111.
THEME 4: ENHANCING THE
APPEARANCE OF PLACES
This fund will support projects that will
develop and nurture the character and
viability of our towns, villages and rural
areas.
Eligible beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries are existing
businesses, chambers of commerce,
social enterprises and other not-for-profit
organisations and partnerships
Project Themes
Eligible activities
Activities that might be supported
include:
• shop front improvements;
• improved and better access for
pedestrians and local community;
• creating a pedestrian access
featuring al fresco eating and
drinking;
• restoring paths, parks, gardens and
other public areas for mixed-use
schemes;
• signage and interpretation;
• community/locally inspired public
art.
Eligible Costs
The following costs will be eligible for
support under this measure:
• grant aid towards the costs of
capital investment;
• revenue costs;
• market research;
• architectural plans and
professional fees;
• marketing support, product
development, branding and design
costs.
Non eligible costs:
• contingency costs;
• any expenditure incurred or
committed before funding is
confirmed;
• land or building projects where the
ownership or lease is not in place;
• routine repairs and maintenance.
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