Broads & Rivers
LEADER+
Location Certain parts of Norfolk. For a map of the areas included, see the Broads & Rivers website
Dates

Applications will be considered at Local Action Group meetings. These occur roughly every 2 months. Details of the dates of upcoming meetings can be gained from the Broads & Rivers LEADER+ team.
The latest date for applications will be in 2006, with the final payments being paid in 2008.
Aims

Objective of the funding opportunity:
The aims of the Broads & Rivers LEADER+ programme include using know how and new technology to make the products and services of rural areas more competitive, regenerating traditional industries and helping local communities to take advantage of new opportunities by developing new skills and encouraging innovative uses of new technology.

The main objectives of the programme are:
- Increase knowledge and understanding of the countryside and skills in environmental management
- Protect and enhance the local countyside and historic environment
- Encourage sustainable natural resource management
- Increase local economic and environmental benefits from tourist and recreational activity
- Improve links between market towns and surrounding areas to increase job opportunities and provision of rural services

The programme aims to focus its benefits on those who are unemployed or underemployed. Projects seeking funding should be innovative and sustainable. See the Broads & Rivers website for details of what is meant by these terms.
It aims to help the following client groups:
Entrepreneurs
The unemployed 		Those in work
The economically inactive
FRESA priorities The funding opportunity fits with the following FRESA priorities:

Top priorities:
Workforce development and in-work progression

High priorities:
Sector skills
Higher level skills
Under-exploited sources of labour

Medium priorities:
 ICT
Increasing employment rates
Access to learning and ICT

More information on the FRESA
The following labour market factsheets contain evidence to support bids for this funding: 
Workforce development and in-work progression
Eligibility Eligible Organisations:  
- Legal entities from the public, voluntary or community sectors
- Groupings of businesseses can apply for projects that benefit a number of businesses
- Individual businesses can apply, as long as they can demonstrate that there will be benefits spread out to the wider community or flowing out to other businesses.
Accreditation Organisations must have the following accreditation to bid: No accreditation is needed.
Amount available Funding available: Around £2.2 million has been made available to be distributed as grants under the scheme.
In most cases, the maximum grant available will be £50,000-£60,000 but in exceptional cases, Broads & Rivers LEADER+ may be able to offer up to £250,000.

In exceptional cases, Broads & Rivers LEADER+ can fund 100% of project costs. However, applications are more likely to be successful if applicants have some other funding for the project - the funders suggest that applicants have match funding of 55% in place.
Previous bids Some of the projects to recieve funding from Broads & Rivers LEADER+ can be seen on the Broads & Rivers website
Application

How to apply:
The funders recommend that prospective applicants have an informalchat with the Programme Officer and/or complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) before filling out a formal application form.
A full application form and guidelines will be provided by the Programme Officer.

You may find the following documents useful:
Application process flow chart
Broads & Rivers LEADER+ Development Plan

Contact

For further information contact:  

Malcolm Hackett
Broads & Rivers LEADER+
c/o Economic Development Unit
Norflok County Council
County Hall
NR1 2DH
Tel: 01603 228960
E-mail: malcolm.hackett@norflok.gov.uk
www.broadsandrivers.org.uk
Weblinks

Other useful websites:
LEADER+ website - www.defra.gov.uk/rural/leader/default.htm
UK LEADER+ network website - www.ukleader.org.uk
Natura 2000 site - http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/nature/home.htm