Wales Rural Network News Round-up Issue 18; February 2018

Issue 18; February 2018

 
 

What's Happening in Wales?

Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 - Scheme Windows

timber invest

Timber Business Investment Scheme

Expression of Interest Window Now Open

The Timber Business Investment scheme provides funding for capital investments that add value to forests by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or timber processing.

co-op

Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme

Expression of Interest Window Now Open

Encouraging planning for the creation of broadleaved and conifer woodland, and contribute to the delivery of the objectives of the Environmental and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP).

farm bus

Farm Business Grant

Expression of Interest Window Now Open

The Farm Business Grant (FBG) scheme is a capital grant support package, designed to help farmers in Wales improve the economic and environmental performance of their agricultural holding.

Glastir

creation

Glastir Woodland Creation

Expression of Interest Window opens 26 February 2018

Glastir Woodland Creation provides financial support for new planting. Financial support is also available for planting trees in areas that continue to be grazed as part of an Agroforestry system i.e. combining agriculture and forestry.

advanced

Glastir Advanced - Unclaimed Capital Works

All 2016 and 2017 Capital Works have to be claimed no later than 28 February 2018 via your RPW online account. 

polinators

Glastir Small Grants (Landscape and Pollinators)

All Glastir Small Grants Capital Works (Landscape and Pollinators) must be completed and claimed by 31 March 2018.

water

Glastir Small Grants (Water)

All Glastir Small Grants Capital Works (Water) must be completed and claimed by 31 March 2018. 

organic

Glastir Organic

All Glastir Organic contract holders are reminded that a valid Organic Control Body (OCB) certificate and Land Schedule with a recognised OCB must be submitted to meet the continuous certification scheme rules.

Tourism

msbf

Micro Small Business Fund (MSBF)

The Micro Small Business Fund (MSBF) is available for micro to small size businesses with fewer than 50 FTE employees.

Other News from Wales

cwmcarn

Funding Boost for Cwmcarn Forest

Tourism Minister, Lord Elis-Thomas visited Cwmcarn Forest to welcome the news that the attraction is to receive grant funding totalling £160,000 to expand and enhance activities and facilities and improve the visitor experience.

hour eyes

Hour Eyes Project

Hour Eyes is a project that brings together the community of Fochrhiw to share their story and their lives as seen through their own eyes.

artisan

Crymych Sheep Farmers Credit Farming Connect with Their New Found Success as Artisan Cheesemakers

Some businesses start with a dream, others with a plan. For cheesemakers Nick and Wendy Holtham it was a combination of both.   

aled

Young Powys Farmer Aled Jones is Sharpening Both his Business and Practical Skills with Support from Farming Connect

Agricultural engineering graduate Aled Jones (25) is the third generation to farm at Dolyfelin, an upland farm near Builth Wells, where he combines working full time alongside his parents with his seasonal work as a contract shearer. 

wifi

Strategic Rural Towns Wi-Fi

A pilot Wi-Fi initiative is set to boost connectivity and drive economic regeneration in the communities of Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen, Llandovery, St Clears and Whitland. 

comm minibus

New Community Minibuses for Narberth and St Davids 

Two Pembrokeshire communities are celebrating the New Year with the arrival of two brand new community minibuses.

path

Work Starts on Cycle and Walking Route That Will link Carmarthen and Llandeilo

A hub is being developed at one end of the route which will see Carmathen and Llandeilo linked.

dragon

Connecting Communities in Wales

Launched in 2017, the project is working with partners and stakeholders to develop rural transport networks and build capacity within the community transport sector. 

tywi

New Year Funding Boost for Tywi Valley Path

The exciting Tywi Valley Path project has received a New Year’s funding boost of £128,000.

agora

Agora - Grow, Graze, Make.

Agora is a brand-new project that provides free support to new and small businesses that produces goods that are grown, grazed and made in mid and south east Wales. 

Visit Wales Rural Network News Pages for the most up to date news stories. 

Don't forget we are also on Facebook, please like and share us!!

What's Happening In The UK?

lotto

National Lottery Awards for All

National Lottery Funding can help you to make a difference in your community. National Lottery Awards for All offers funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities.

community farm

You’ve Goat to be Kitten Me! Udder Pressure Farm Amazed with National Lottery Cash

A community farm in Swansea that was on the brink of closure less than 12 months ago is celebrating the news that National Lottery money will open up opportunities for its community.

rural solutions

Planning Challenges in a Rural Environment

Director of Planning, Duncan Hartley and Head of Planning, James Podesta talk about the commercial opportunities available to rural landowners when they take the opportunity to invest in our expertise when preparing planning applications. 

What's Happening In Europe?

enrd

Smart Villages

Smart Villages’ is the current sub-theme of the broader ENRD thematic work on ‘Smart and competitive rural areas’.

eu agri

Funding For Promotion of EU Agricultural Products 

The European Commission has launched calls for projects aimed at promoting EU farm products on both the internal and third country markets.

oecd

Enhancing Rural Innovation

The 11th OECD Rural Development Conference will bring together leading policy makers and experts to exchange experiences and good practices on issues related to innovation, including the development of policy related to technological change, and making the most of opportunities for job creation, economic growth, and service delivery. 

eip

Exchanging Innovative Practices Across the European Union

EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are innovative projects that bring together farmers, researchers, advisers and others to address specific problems and opportunities in European farming and forestry.

goats

A Sustainable Solution for Goats That are Suffering From Parasites 

Organic farmers in Umbria, Italy, have found a natural way of reducing the number of parasites causing suffering to their goats.

eip

Creating Vital Cork Forests in Portugal with Satellite and GIS Data

Portuguese foresters to develop a decision support tool to help save time and money.

Useful Links

Websites 

Other Newsletters

 
 
 

ABOUT

Wales Rural Network News provides a round-up of news, information and networking opportunities relating to the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It helps to facilitate the sharing of common issues and examples of good practice within Wales, the UK and Europe. If you have items to contribute which are related to rural development in Wales, please contact Ruralnetwork@gov.wales

Find out more on the web:

gov.wales/ruralnetwork

Follow online: