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We are running a series of roadshows to highlight the opportunities on offer for businesses, community groups, farms or enterprises through the WGRC- Rural Development Programme. You will be able to get help to prepare for EOI application windows and tips on how to submit a good funding bid. Organisations who offer support and funding to communities will also be in attendance. Pre booking is not required for these events, so don’t miss out. Just drop in to speak to experts and view presentations at locations in North, Mid and South Wales.
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Evaluation Reports are published to help disseminate findings, successes, challenges and lessons learnt from projects funded with Rural Development Programme support. A series of reports for projects funded under the Supply Chain Efficiency scheme of the previous RDP have been published to help share results and to aid good practice.
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The presentations from two events which the Wales Rural Network delivered recently have now been published on-line.
On 15 April 2016, we jointly facilitated an event with Cadwyn Clwyd on the theme of ‘Renewable Energy on a Community level’.
On 24 May 2016 the Network ran it’s first ever live Periscope event to aid potential applicants to the Rural Community Development Scheme.
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Success stories from projects funded under the previous RDP continue to inspire creative thinking and can help to inform the planning of projects currently in development. Check out the case studies published on our website, remembering that it is advisable to read all guidance notes for current schemes carefully, in order to check whether planned activities are eligible under the current schemes.
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The application window for subsidised training is open 1-30 June 2016. Through the Skills and Mentoring programme, eligible individuals registered with Farming Connect can access up to 80% funding to complete short accredited courses in key areas. Eligibility criteria and a full list of the training courses on offer can be accessed via the Training section of the Farming Connect website.
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Farming Connect are offering a variety of events coming up during the next few weeks. They include one to one surgeries, strategic awareness events and open events on their network of demonstration sites. Visit the Farming Connect website for more details.
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The EOI application window for the Rural Community Development Fund scheme, which offers grants primarily aimed at LEADER Local Action Groups and other community-based organisations is open for applications until 30 June 2016. These grants provide investment for a wide range of activities to help meet local needs and strengthen communities.
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Land Managers and Farming Businesses across Wales have an opportunity to apply for Capital Works under the new Glastir Small Grants Scheme.
The first Expression of Interest which will concentrate on Carbon will open on 27 June 2016 and will close at midnight on 29 July 2016.
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St Dogmaels Local
Producers Market in Pembrokeshire,
Hallets Real Cider from Crumlin and Carmarthenshire-based Charcutier Ltd
all triumphed at the BBC Food and Farming Awards annual ceremony. Congratulations
on their success and great news that all three have received support from a
variety of schemes under the former RDP.
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The
Community Energy Fund, run on behalf of the community energy sector by Robert
Owen Community Banking, is entering a new phase. Whilst it still has loan
finance available to help develop new community energy schemes, it has also
capitalised a new fund that can invest in the installation of schemes. If you
have a project that needs an injection of funding to move forward, the
Community Energy Fund aims to be both responsive and helpful. More information
on the finance available from the Community Energy Fund can be found on
the Robert
Owen Community Bank website.
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The second round of the Community Asset
Transfer 2 (CAT2) programme run by the Big Lottery Fund in Wales, will
provide both capital and revenue funding to support the transfer of assets,
such as land and buildings, from individuals, public or private sector
organisations to community ownership. The
deadline for stage one applications is September 14th, 2016.
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The Community Land Advisory Service Wales (CLAS Cymru) is hosting an event in St Hillary, Vale of Glamorgan on 8-9 July 2016 to discuss the future of food production and security in Wales. With increasing interest in local food, food security and community growing the conference aims to bring together those involved in creating a sustainable food system in Wales. The event will feature a host of talks and workshops from successful community growing projects and horticulture businesses as well as tours and practical workshops on the Riverside Market Garden.
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A
pioneering UK event sets out to find the best and brightest farm innovators.
Run along the lines of ‘Dragon’s Den’ it gave farmers and rural entrepreneurs a
platform to air their ideas or inventions and to gain advice from industry experts.
The good news is that the hunt is back on for
world-class innovators who wish to claim investment funding for their
business. And this year, the amount on offer has been more than doubled to £250,000. Check
out Agri
Innovation Den.
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The
Rural Health Network enables anyone involved in delivering services in
rural areas to share ideas, network and share best practice. New members
are always welcome - contact Rural Services Network England on 01822 813641 or
visit the Rural Health Network for more information.
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The conference organised by the Country Landowners Association will bring businesses and policy makers together to discuss practical ways to achieve the vision of a robust, productive and sustainable rural economy in 2030. Challenges and opportunities to be explored include digital connectivity, energy infrastructure, natural capital, and investing in people. Register your interest by emailing CLAconference@cla.org.uk.
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The latest European Network for Rural
Development newsletter has information for LEADER Local Action Groups, ESFI,
access to land, circular economies and much more.
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EIP-Agri Service Point in Brussels organised a workshop entitled
‘Operational Groups: First experiences' in Legnaro, Italy, on 20-21 April 2016.
It was a valuable opportunity to learn about how EIP is being implemented in a
variety of ways in different European countries. You can view the workshop
documents and all the presentations including organic doc control, robust lamb,
winter harvest, wheat value chain and others from the web link Operational Groups: first experiences.
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The 'Smart and Competitive Rural Areas' brochure from the European Network
for Rural Development (ENRD) presents
examples of methods and approaches that have been used to deliver results on
the topics of rural broadband, digital access to market, farm modernisation,
market development, rural diversification and sustainable communities. Featured
projects include extending fibre optic broadband into rural Lithuania,
promoting rural tourism in Belgium with smart hiking tools and an on-demand
local bus service connecting residents in Wales.
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Calling all entrepreneurs, SMEs, start-ups and researchers, the European Satellite Navigation Competition is looking for ground-breaking business ideas, services, or products addressing the use of satellite navigation - including in agriculture and forestry. The competition will award prizes worth a total of €1 million and the deadline is 30 June 2016.
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