What we fund

Projects must be economically viable and environmentally sustainable and fit in with at least one of the six programme themes:

Farming:

• Improving farm productivity, competitiveness and sustainability.
• Improving local procurement and supply chains to increase the opportunity for local people to buy local produce.
• Improving the use of natural capital to enhance health and wellbeing, employability and public education to improve biodiversity and landscape character.

Micro and small enterprises (including farm diversification):

• Supporting the creation and development of micro and small enterprises across a diverse range of industries to have a positive impact on jobs and growth in the local economy
• Supporting farm diversification to help improve business profitability and sustainability.

Rural tourism / the visitor economy:

• Steering responsible and sustainable growth in the visitor economy to minimise the impact on the environment - green tourism.
• Increasing opportunities for local people and visitors to explore and enjoy the North Wessex Downs.

Forestry:

• Increasing forestry sector productivity and sustainability.
• Encouraging more woodland back into active management to increase supply of wood, wood products and wood-fuel to support a more low carbon economy and improve biodiversity and landscape character.
• Improving access and public use of woodland to increase health and wellbeing benefits.

Rural services and connectivity:

• Improving rural connectivity especially for younger and older members of communities.
• Improving the use of community buildings to create multi-functional facilities and social hubs.
• Expanding the range of services in rural communities.

Culture and heritage:

• Conserving and enhancing the protection, management of natural and historic features.
• Increasing the level of awareness, use and enjoyment of historic and cultural fabric.

There is much more information on what we can and cannot fund within the North Wessex Downs LEADER Applicant Handbook.

Latest News

• LEADER Programme Update

  Nov 28, 2017 | General | harryb

  The NWD LEADER Programme is in full swing.  The LAG has committed £540k to 14 projects so far..

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• Maximum grant level increase

  Apr 28, 2017 | General | DawnH

  We have increased the maximum amount of grant you can apply for from £50,000 to £100,000. See the Applicant Handbook for more details.

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