Details of this programme and the various schemes of assistance can be found at this website:
To help you navigate the schemes Cadwyn Clwyd have produced this handy summary. Windows for applications for grant funding open and close during the year. If you have any enquiries about applying for assistance then Cadwyn Clwyd would be pleased to help. They can be contacted on 01490 340500.
Rural Community Development Fund
The Rural Community Development Fund (RCDF) offers grants that are primarily for capital investment projects led by community-based organisations. The grants will provide investment funding for a wide range of activities to help meet local needs and strengthen communities so that they can grow and thrive. Key areas for support will include: drawing up of community / village development plans; investments in small scale infrastructure including renewable energy; investments in ICT including broadband and digital inclusion; improving access to services such as childcare, rural transport and financial advice; investments in recreational, tourist infrastructure and activities to improve health and quality of life. The maximum grant contribution per project from RCDF is £128,000 and the minimum is £2,400. Applicants must secure 50% of the total eligible project costs (for 7.1 and studies under 7.6) and 20% of the total eligible project costs (for investments under 7.2 – 7.7).
Food Business Investment Scheme
The Food Business Investment Scheme (FBIS) is designed to help primary producers of agricultural products and businesses that do first and/or second stage processing activities in Wales. The scheme can provide capital investment and other support to projects where at least 90% eligible agricultural products are processed. The scheme is open to applications from a wide range of enterprises involved in primary and/or secondary processing of agricultural products, including: sole traders, voluntary sector organisations, private and public limited companies (SME and Large Enterprises), farm businesses that want to process their own agricultural products, and new businesses, including start-up businesses. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £5,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400. Varying grant rates depending on size of enterprise.
Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme
The Co-operative Forest Planning Scheme aims to support proposals seeking to facilitate, develop or establish new collaborations and activities and to help potential new collaborations develop project proposals, which work to improve the management of our natural resources and contribute to the well-being of our rural communities. Examples of eligible activities under the scheme include: the development and co-ordination of collaborative groups; communication and dissemination activities; technical and feasibility studies; and monitoring and evaluation activities. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual project is £180,000 and the minimum is £10,000. The maximum grant rate is up to 100%.
Sustainable Management Scheme
The Sustainable Management scheme will provide financial support for a range of activities that will improve the management of our natural resources and in doing so contribute to the well-being of our rural communities. The scheme offers grants to collaborative groups looking to: improve our natural resources and the benefits they provide, take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve business and community resilience to the impacts of climate change. Grants can range from a minimum of £10,000 to a maximum of £5,000,000 to help start up and facilitate new collaborations through to landscape-scale ambition co-ordinating actions and input from several parties to achieve lasting benefits across our communities. The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 100% of the total cost.
Co-operation and Supply Chain Development
The Co-operation and Supply Chain Development scheme (C&SCDS) is designed to help make new things happen. It will provide support for a broad range of matters and for all aspects of a project, from the initial stages through to delivery and into dissemination and evaluation. The scheme cannot support joint activities that are already taking place but can support an existing group in undertaking a new joint project. The scheme aims to support the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agriculture, forestry and food sectors, including: small businesses working together to share production facilities and resources, short supply chains and local markets including promotion activities in a local context, and pilot projects where the information is made publicly available and widely disseminated. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual co-operation project is £10,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400. Varying maximum grant rate.
Sustainable Production Grant Scheme
The Sustainable Production Grant (SPG) scheme is a capital grant support package aimed at farmers. The SPG Scheme aims to provide capital investment in facilities and equipment that relate to: animal health and welfare; crop storage; production housing and handling; renewable energy production; and soil and crop management. The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 40% of the total investment cost, regardless of the size of the enterprise and location. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £400,000 and the minimum is £16,000. The maximum grant rate for any individual investment project is 40% of the total investment cost regardless of the size of the enterprise and location.
Timber Business Investment Scheme
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. The scheme is open to private forest owners, local authorities, certain other public sector forest owners and small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and community organisations or forestry contractors. Investments supported by the scheme must be related to improvements in value in forests, for example by enabling woodland management activities, timber harvesting and/or in-forest or small-scale timber processing. The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual investment project is £5,000,000 and the minimum is £2,400.