Fieldfare LDS – some thoughts

Overview £140m LEADER budget - aim is to allocate this more evenly across LAGs. Budget may allow slight increase/change in coverage, subject to approval of final applications. LEADER will increase support for jobs and growth in rural areas. Envisage 70% of projects directly supporting the rural economy, with the remaining 30% all needing to make a contribution. Six priority policy areas and related measures Open & competitive application process for new & existing groups. All groups in place by start of next RDP 1st January LAGs to work with LEPs to endorse their Local Development Strategies Nationally consistent approach to implementation

The Framework sets out the overall policy priorities and budget split we expect Local Development Strategies (LDS) to be based upon in order to deliver the greater focus on jobs and growth Policy PriorityNational Budget split % Support for increasing farm productivity20% Support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversification 40% Support for rural tourism20% Provision of rural services5% Support for cultural and heritage activity 5% Support for increasing forestry productivity 10%

No formal application form to be provided – however, the NDF will set out the necessary/obligatory requirement that any application for LEADER must cover. This will include, amongst other things:  The structure, constitution of the Local Action Group itself  Details about the geographical area and population covered by the LAG  The LAGs strategy including SWOT analysis of local needs priorities and subsequently expected Programme activity including any cooperation activity  Its management and administration of project activity, claims work and dealings with Accountable Body  Financial Plan which will breakdown expenditure by measure and give funding profile over the life of the Programme.

Phase 1 – now to March/April Offer of preparatory support to new groups/top up to existing ones. Phase 2 – April - May All potential LEADER groups (existing + prospective) to define their geographic coverage and submit mapping information to Defra (used for allocation purposes). All informed of indicative budget allocation. Phase 3 – May – September Prospective LEADER groups to develop and submit a full Local Development Strategy. Deadline early September Defra national selection Panel. Phase 4 – October – December LEADER groups informed of outcome of Panel. Programme allocations/adjustments based on LDS. Contracting arrangements put into place by 31 December 2014.

Progress so far 2013: Vision Stakeholder analysis Transition fund application Alresford workshop – analysis of the operating environment SWOT

Progress so far 2014 Building understanding Quob: Defined the areas and model to work with Meon Springs: Developed thinking around needs Watching the defra space

Vision: To act as a catalyst for supporting the development of a vibrant and interdependent rural economy and community that encourages and facilitates growth, prosperity, well-being and environmental benefit.

Moving on The challenge for the Fieldfare LAG is to gain an understanding of the “economies” identified to inform the LDS. In order to do this, for each economy then there is a need to:  define each economy, within the Fieldfare LAG, in terms of its structure and development needs.  identify how the Fieldfare LAG should engage with each “economy” to inform the LDS  develop an action plan (the what? when? where? who? and how?) for each “economy” in order to achieve the timely preparation of the LDS.

More to do