LEADER GOLD GRANTS
Overview of Scheme
What is the grants scheme?
The grants scheme is part of the North Northumberland LEADER+ programme, which promotes local solutions in the field of rural development. The grants will enable local communities and partnerships to help themselves, to improve the quality of life and to develop and enhance the local heritage – both natural and cultural. Funding for the LEADER programme and for this grants scheme, comes from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
The scheme covers North Northumberland – the districts of Alnwick and Berwick – and is administered by Community Action Northumberland. Decisions are made at a local level by panels of community representatives.
Is the project eligible?
Area - projects should occur in, and be of benefit to, one or more of the target communities in North Northumberland (Alnwick and Berwick districts).
Status – applicants need not be registered charities, but they must have a written constitution or terms of reference and demonstrate democratic management and community benefit. Examples include local voluntary groups, parish councils, not-for-profit networks or associations of small businesses, and partnerships of local groups and agencies
Context - projects should arise from a process that demonstrates community consultation and identifies local need: for example, a parish plan.
Benefit - projects should benefit the local community (not just one or two individuals)
Projects may be required to demonstrate that they would not happen, or would only happen on a reduced scale, without a grant
Projects in support of political activities or exclusively of a religious nature cannot be supported.
Activities-projects must assist the community to address issues of sustainability, the quality of life, and/or natural or cultural heritage in their locality.
Examples include:
Ø schemes which improve community centres and village halls, as settings for training, environmental appreciation, childcare or other economic activities.
Ø initiatives designed to harness renewable energy
Ø confidence building for disadvantaged people
Ø vocational training and guidance
Ø initiatives which help to attract or retain visitors, who spend money in the locality
Ø the involvement of local people in environmental improvement work as a means of developing their skills and confidence
Ø initiatives which support the retention of key local services, such as shops,
bus services and garages
Ø community – run enterprises which generate surpluses which can be spent on further initiatives of benefit to the community
Grants
Ø Once approved, grants will be paid by BACS transfer into your nominated account
Ø Grants will normally be in the range of £500 to £2000. However in
exceptional circumstances some grants of up to £4900 may be available.
Ø Grants may meet up to 100% of the eligible costs of a project, where the
applicant is unable to secure other funds from other grant sources or from
the applicant’s own reserves. For grants of over £1,000, a contribution of at
least 25% will normally be expected.
Ø Eligible costs do not include recoverable VAT
Ø Grants will normally be made 60% in advance, with the
remaining 40% in arrears, on completion of the project. In cases of
hardship or extenuating circumstances this may be increased.
Ø Grants cannot be used for expenditure that occurs before the date of the grant offer letter.
Ø Expenditure must be complete 3 months after the project end date
Responsibility
All expenditure may be subject to External Audit by auditors appointed by Government Office for the North East or Community Action Northumberland. The applicant must ensure all expenditure is defrayed on eligible activities as stated in the approved application. If required, the applicant may arrange for another agency to carry out work on their behalf, where this is not in conflict with the overall aim of helping communities to help themselves. Where this happens a formal written partnership agreement, specifying the respective roles of the applicant and agency, will need to be agreed and submitted, before any project can be approved.
Applications and support
Applications made on the official application form may be submitted to the designated Community Development Officer for the Scheme, at any time. The officer is able to help applicants develop their proposal and, if appropriate, seek additional sources of funding.
Appraisal Process
Ø On receipt of each application, and following completion of an appraisal by the Community Development Officer, all project documentation will be presented to the Local Panel for approval at the next available meeting. Applicants need to be aware that the time from submission of the application to final approval could be up to 6 weeks: if additional information is required this time-scale may be extended.
Ø The panel will make their approval based upon the information provided.
Ø All paperwork will be forwarded to Community Action Northumberland for final processing.
Ø On completion of the necessary checks a grant offer letter is issued to the applicant.
Ø On receipt of a completed grant acceptance form the initial payment will be made.
Ø During the life of the project the Community Development Officer will be in contact to ensure the project is progressing satisfactorily.
Ø At the end of the project date all evidence of expenditure incurred is submitted to CAN with a final report.
Ø After the final report is validated, any residual balance will be paid.
For further inform please download the Terms and Conditions and an Application Form.
In addition there is a publicity flyer you can download.
