.:.:.:.:.: north antrim LEADER :.:.:.:.:.

Summary of previous assistance available from North Antrim Leader+

NAL+ is closed for applications until further funds become available.

NAL+ was recently open for applications but has since utilised all this funding and with a reserve list in place it is extremely unlikely that any further grant assistance shall beome available until the next round of the Rural Development Programme is in place in 2008.

Leader could offer financial assistance to various micro-businesses excluding retail, distribution and accommodation in rural areas who have 10 or less employees and are part of the private sector.

In most cases this support was to a maximum of 50%. Please note that only one EU Fund (Such as Leader Plus) could be used per project. The remainder of project costs must have come from a private or non EU source.

The maximum grant within this tranche was £20,000 and there was a minimum grant of £1,000. All projects must have match funding in place as the time frame was very short and spend must occur before 31st Dec 2007.

Overall themes

• The use of new know how and new technologies to make the products and services of rural areas more competitive (NKNT)

• Making the best use of cultural and natural resources (TCD)

This will be delivered by a focused programme of measures:

(Click on the GREEN links in the table to find out more about the programmes)

Measure	Aims
NKNT Business (Open)	To help establish new businesses To assist existing businesses to expand To create additional employment To improve the competitiveness of rural businesses
NKNT Technology (Open)	To assist small rural businesses to identify, develop and exploit new technology within their business.
NKNT Food (Open)	To encourage and foster the creation of new food businesses in the County Antrim area To develop the skills and competence of local people in quality food manufacturing To explore the opportunities to add value to local produce
TCD01 – Built Heritage (Open)	To restore these buildings to economic use To improve the local entironment To retain buildings of historical and/or architectural use
TCD02 - Developing Local Craft and Cultural Business (Open)	To exploit the economic benefits of our cultural and craft traditions for local people. to develop new skills which can open new economic opportunities
TCD03 – North Antrim Inns (CLOSED)	To help in raising the range and quality of food supplied in inns and pubs in the area. This is a pilot programme aimed at raising the range and quality of food supplied in inns and pubs in the area.

Business Development Support

It should be noted that Leader+ is not simply a capital grant scheme but an innovative approach to developing the rural economy. Therefore in most of the measures there is a considerable element of Business Development Support which will be part of the overall package. It will help new business to get started and will assist existing businesses to develop project ideas. It will thus complement the capital grants available. This assistance is delivered by the Local Enterprise Agencies in the four Council areas, they provide one to one support and mentoring for those applicants who have been successful and wish to develop their business. This mentoring can involve bringing in experts in theie respective fields to assist the proprietor to understand their marketplace better and how to access it. This can involve marketing, promotion, IT skills, H&S issues and business skills. This complementary scheme will be delivered until December 2007, maximising the benefits for the business owner.

Networking and Transnational Activity

Leader+ is a rural initiative which operates in all parts of the European Union. North Antrim Leader Plus will build partnerships with other groups within the UK, Ireland and other rural areas of Europe. This will help North Antrim to not only look around at the issues and opportunities in its own area but to learn and work alongside other European partners.

see news page for more details....