 RDPE
News and Issues
You will find a range of news and issues listed
here, including the latest advice, information about our ongoing
projects and completed projects.
|
£20 Million for Farming, Forestry & Horticultural Businesses |
11/11/2011 |
|
Defra has announced the launch of a new fund for farming and forestry businesses. Attached is a short note along with the copy/link to the website and leaflet. If you need any further information please do get in touch.
A new £20 million fund to help farming, forestry and horticultural businesses to become more efficient at using resources has been launched.
The scheme aims to help businesses to become more competitive and more profitable, whilst reducing the impact of farming on the environment.
The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will fund projects that:
• save energy and reduce carbon emissions;
• reduce dependence on artificial fertilizers through better use of manures;
• improve soil quality
• improve animal health and welfare
• save and recycle water
• promote woodland management by processing timber more efficiently.
For more information go to http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/farm-and-forestry-improvement-scheme or download the leaflet
|
|
RDPE Newsletter October 2011 |
11/10/2011 |
|
Features include:
- Annual LAG Review
- Staff Changes
- Launch of the Waveney Valley Identity
- Brewery projects in Norfolk & Suffolk
|
|
LandSkills East 2011/2012 Autumn Winter Programme |
03/10/2011 |
|
LandSkills East has been set up to provide rural businesses with improved access to skills and
training courses across the East of England region. LandSkills East is funded under the Rural
Development Programme for England (RDPE) with the aim to provide the skills that will be required
by the regions’ land-based and rural business sectors in the twenty-first century. To see the photos from the event please use the following link by copying it into the address box at the top of the screen.
https://picasaweb.google.com/103362856768247519516/LandSkillsEastAwards?authuser=0&feat=directlink |
|
The Princes Countryside Fund - New Round open (UK) |
14/09/2011 |
|
The Prince s Countryside Fund was established to help rural areas in the United Kingdom to become more sustainable. The focus areas for the Fund are:
• projects to improve the sustainability of British farming in areas of deprivation
• projects to improve the sustainability of rural communities
• projects to reconnect people with the countryside.
The total amount of funding available in each round is approximately £250,000. The maximum level of funding for individual projects will be £50,000. The Fund can pay for a portion or the entirety of the costs of a project and applications for capital, project and resource funding will be considered.
Applications will be accepted from organisations that can demonstrate the support of the community which will benefit from the project and show evidence of consulting the community.
|
|
Barclays Launches £100 Million Energy Fund for Farmers |
31/08/2011 |
|
Barclays Bank has created a £100 million fund designed to help farmers meet the costs of renewable energy initiatives like wind farms, solar panels, organic waste power and hydro plants.
Research undertaken by the bank has revealed that agricultural businesses are now keen to benefit from government support tariffs. More than a third of farmers would like to install renewable energy projects on their land during the coming year, and hope to generate average annual returns of £25,000.
Britain aims to generate 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, compared with 7.4% reached in 2010. The Barclays survey of 300 agricultural customers indicated that four out of five farmers recognise how renewable energy can save costs and 60% see it as a source of additional income.
The funding provider expects around 80-90% of projects will be solar and wind farms as they are cheapest to build and their costs are forecast to drop by up to 50% in the next three to five years as demand rises and technology improves. Barclays states that the cost of installing renewable energy projects can be recovered after around ten years.
The fund's loan budget will be unlimited and it has been suggested that the first £100 million could support more than 100 projects as the average cost varies between £250,000 and £700,000. |
|
Rural Development Programme Co-ordinator |
17/08/2011 |
Helping farms and rural businesses prepare for change.
Easton College is delivering £7.5 million of funding across Norfolk and Suffolk through the Rural Development Programme for England using the Leader approach. The programme will support the development of rural business projects across the Norfolk Coast and Broads, Waveney Valley and the Brecks areas.
|
|
LandSkills Newsletter July 2011 |
18/07/2011 |
Features include:
Growing Business Award 2011
Focus Farms are Launched across the East of England
June - The Farm Safety Month
Training to Help Reduce the Green House Impact from Growing Malting Barley
A sample of some new courses approved over the last month
|
|
Latest News from the Waveney Valley Rural Development Programme |
07/07/2011 |
|
It’s midway through the Waveney Valley Rural Development Programme, and there is still £750,000 of secured funds available to support new projects.
Up to now, the programme has committed over £1m to projects in the Local Action Group area. A variety of projects have been supported and have had a positive impact on the area. These include farm diversification projects that have created new self catering accommodation units, micro-enterprise projects creating new products in the area and tourism projects supporting the Waveney Valley as a growing destination for tourists.
There is still budget remaining for applicants looking to set up a new or enhance an existing micro enterprise, or apply for support for tourism or farm diversification projects. Applicants should read the Local Development Strategy which is available on the website to make sure the project aligns with local priorities.
To qualify your project needs to be within the Waveney Valley boundary (see website* for map), must be a new or enhanced activity, and deliver benefits to the area such as creating or protecting jobs and generating additional income for the local economy.
If you are planning a project, the first stage is to visit the website to find out more details about the programme. If you believe you are eligible for funding, you should download a Project Ideas Form and fill it in as soon as possible as the next deadline for full applications is 26th July 2011.
Once complete, send the ideas form to rdp@easton-college.ac.uk .We will soon be in touch to let you know whether your project can go forward to the application stage.
Note: The Rural Development Programme for England is funded by Defra and the EU.
Funding is available between now and December 2013.
|
|
Over £4 million granted to rural businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk |
06/07/2011 |
|
More than 70 businesses have received over £4 million through Local Action Groups in Norfolk and Suffolk. Businesses that have benefited from the funding range from farmers to food producers and manufacturers to tourism providers. The fund started in 2009 and focuses on supporting three areas, the Norfolk Coast and Broads, The Brecks and the Waveney Valley.
£2.3 million of funding is secure and still available for rural businesses in the three areas. High levels of investment have taken place in water efficiency projects, farm modernisation and adding value initiatives. The programmes are now looking for farmers wanting to diversify out of agriculture or those wishing to start up or develop a micro-enterprise, tourism projects that support local priorities are also required to meet local development needs.
Last year’s Norfolk Show saw over £1 million of new projects come forward for funding. Farmers and rural businesses interested in applying for funding can visit the Easton College rural development programme team at stand 231 to discuss their project ideas. Projects that have already received funding will also be showcased and visitors will have the opportunity to talk to grant recipients and see firsthand what a difference grant funding has made.
|
|
JUNE: The Farm Safety Month |
17/05/2011 |
|
Five FREE interactive ‘Safety Workshops’
• 7th June, Easton College, Norfolk 9.00 am and 1.00 pm start
• 9th June, Writtle College, Essex, 9.00 am and 1.00 pm start
• 21st June, Shuttleworth College, Bedfordshire, 9.00 am and 1.00 pm start
• 23rd June, Easton Farm Park, Suffolk, 9.00 am and 1.00 pm start
• 24th June, College of West Anglia (Milton), Cambridgeshire, 9.00 am and 1.00 pm start
|
|
Funding available to promote quality produce |
15/05/2011 |
|
The sustainable management of floodplains, salt marshes and fresh water marshes is very important in the Norfolk Coast and Broads as it can help prevent widespread problems from flooding offering protection to inland lying businesses and community. The responsible management of marshes and flood plains also supports essential habitat for birds and invertebrates.
Livestock grazing is an essential part of the management process, but of course, in order to afford animals to graze, there needs to be a market to sustain livestock production. The Rural Development Programme operating in the Norfolk Coast and Broads area has included in their funding strategy livestock grazing of flood plains and marshes.
While routine maintenance and management of the land and cattle cannot be funded, grants are available for promotion and other activities that support grazing schemes through stimulating a market for the produce.
So if you are a livestock producer and grazier, there is an opportunity for you to open up new markets for quality products from animals that have grazed on rich pastures in the local countryside.
To qualify your project needs to be within the Norfolk Coast and Broads boundary (see website for map), must be a new or enhanced activity, and deliver benefits to the area.
If you are planning a project, the first stage is to visit the website to find out more details about the programme. If you believe you are eligible for funding, you should download a Project Ideas Form and fill it in. This form captures an outline of what you want to do, why you want to do it, how much it will cost and how much funding you are looking for.
Once complete, send the form to rdp@easton-college.ac.uk .We will soon be in touch to let you know what the next stage for you and your project will be.
|
|
Government Spending Review Reduces Local Action Group Budgets |
29/03/2011 |
|
The impact of the government spending review has finally reached the Leader programme, bringing a 20% reduction to the budget available to Local Action Groups for 11/12. This cut has been applied by Defra, through regional development agencies across all UK Leader funded programmes. Defra has announced their commitment to funding the remainder of the RDPE period up until the end 2013. |
|
Regional Growth Fund: Round 2, Expressions of Interest |
16/03/2011 |
|
The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership is preparing to offer endorsement of applications to round 2 of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF). The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a new £1.4bn 3 year Fund that will operate across England to stimulate private sector led sustainable economic growth and employment. We are keen that potential applicants contact us as soon as possible about their idea so that we can be ready to consider giving appropriate support. |
|
World's first Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) launched to reduce emissions |
10/03/2011 |
|
On 10 March 2011, the Government announced the details of the first plase of the Renewable Heat Incentive policy to revolutionise the way heat is generated and used in buildings and homes. This is the first financial support scheme for renewable heat of its kind in the world.
The £860m government scheme expected to increase green capital investment by £4.5 billion up to 2020, stimulating a new market in renewable heat. A full system of RHI payments will be available to households from October 2012.
|
|
LandSkills East Newletter February |
08/02/2011 |
|
This newsletter contains an interview with Henry Cator. Information on National Apprenticeship Week and uptodate list of courses across the region
|
|
First e-newsletter for the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership |
07/02/2011 |
|
Last year the coalition government announced it will abolish regional development agencies including The East of England Development Agency, which is responsible for driving forward the economic growth of the region. In their place will be Local Enterprise Partnerships, with priorities shaped by local businesses and organisations, to help drive forward the local economy. The Local Enterprise Partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk is called New Anglia; it is business led with support from the public sector |
|
RDPE Micro Enterprise Funding in Norfolk and Suffolk |
17/08/2010 |
|
£1.5 million of grant funding is available specifically for micro enterprise support and development through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the Norfolk Coast and Broads, Brecks and Waveney Valley areas. The local action groups have combined funds of approximately £10 million, 15% of which is specifically to support the creation and development of micro-enterprises. |
|
North Norfolk 2010 Food and Drink Festival |
11/08/2010 |
|
The North Norfolk Business Forum Agriculture Round Table is pleased to announce the first North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival.
This celebration of all that is best about food that is grown, reared, caught or made in North Norfolk, will take place in the Courtyard of Holkham Hall, home of the Earl of Leicester, on Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th September 2010.
During the Festival, up to 60 of North Norfolk’s finest food producers will be offering tastings and goods for sale.
An added attraction is a rolling programme of cookery demonstrations, talks and demonstrations from local producers, advice from eminent North Norfolk chefs and celebrity cook-off challenges using local produce, all of which will take place in a Food Theatre with a large plasma screen to aid visibility. There will also be opportunities to meet the owners of a number of the region’s popular gastro pubs.
|
|
Funding Support for ‘Out of Season’ events |
02/08/2010 |
|
In the winter months, many tourism organisations go through a quiet time as visitor number fall along with the temperature. The Norfolk Coast and Broads Rural Development Programme is keen to fund initiatives that build on traditionally ‘out of season’ events, aiming to encourage visitors to the area. |
|
£142,000 granted to rural businesses in Norfolk Coast and Broads |
28/07/2010 |
|
Six organisations across the Norfolk Coast and Broads area have secured £142,000 to fund a range of business development initiatives.
Congratulations go to: Barley to Beer; W.J. Bracey Limited; Brays Cottage Pork Pies; Farm Guidance Limited; Hirst Farms Limited and North Norfolk Business Forum;
|
|
2010 Royal Norfolk Show |
02/07/2010 |
|
The Rural Enterprise Hub would like to thank all the businesses that supported the stand at this years Royal Norfolk Show. The stand at the Spirit of Enterprise proved to be a great success with many individuals and businesses taking the opportunity to discuss funding, skills and training opportunities with the team.
We look forward to seeing you again at next years Royal Norfolk Show, which is due to take place on 29th & 30th June 2011.
|
|
Next Generation Conference |
17/05/2010 |
|
UK farming needs a flow of new entrants to bring
ideas, energy and the renewed ambition needed to
sustain a dynamic industry. FARMING – THE NEXT
GENERATION is a conference designed to address
that challenge.
Over an evening and a day, the conference will take on the key issues that need to be addressed by new entrants and those with whom they will work to create a sustainable, successful industry – whether or not those partnerships are within families.
Conference dinner: 17th May
Full Conference: 18th May
Venue: Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG
Further infomation and booking details can be found by visiting www.ruralenterprisehub.info/thenextgeneration |
|
Waveney Valley Market Towns Initiative |
23/02/2010 |
|
A minimum of £40k of RDPE funding is ring fenced for each of the market towns of Loddon, Eye, Diss, Harleston, Halesworth, Bungay and Beccles until February 2011. We are looking for each of these towns to submit a collaborative application to help improve the economic performance of the town and the Waveney Valley. |
|
Environmental Stewardship - Is it time for ELS on your farm? |
14/10/2009 |
|
Book a FREE hour long one-to-one appointment with a Natural England advisor during October and November 2009. These events are aimed at current CSS,ESA and ELS agreement holders whose agreements are due to expire shortly and those interested in environmental stewardship, but have not yet entered ELS |
|
Norfolk and Suffolk Leader 2008 |
03/12/2007 |
|
LEADER is an innovative community driven method of delivering the Rural Development Programme (RDPE), which, at its heart, is the principle that rural communities understand their needs and if they work together they can achieve real and lasting change at the local level. To make this happen the LEADER approach provides support to broadly based groups of local organisations and individuals, to come together to define and then implement a Local Development Strategy. |
|
