one agency The 4 Schemes of the Rural Development Programme Jacquie Middleton, Area Lead, SE Date: 9 th October 2015 Kent Local Nature Partnership 1

one agency Why is RDPE important? Supports all 6 of Defra’s objectives… A cleaner, healthier environment which benefits people and the economy A world-leading food and farming industry A thriving rural economy, contributing to national prosperity and wellbeing A nation protected against natural threats and hazards, with strong response and recovery capabilities Excellent delivery, on time and to budget and with outstanding value for money An organisation continually striving to be the best, focused on outcomes and constantly challenging itself 2 Rural Development Programme more focused and will target taxpayer’s money where it makes the greatest difference Aiming to protect the natural environment on 2.5m ha of our farmed land, create around 6,750 jobs and fund planting of 11m trees.

one agency RDP is part of the Common Agricultural Policy Rural Development Programmes can support: the environment; farming, food and forestry sectors; and economic and social development in rural areas 3 Pillar 1Pillar 2 CAP Pillar 1 provides direct payments to farmers and market control measures Pillar 2 promotes rural development through programmes in each Member State or region Pillar 2 7 year programme cycles: From 2007 to 2013 [2015] and 2014 to 2020 [2023]

one agency … but not just part of the CAP EU Rural Development funds (EAFRD) now part of a wider set of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), alongside: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); the European Social Fund (ESF); and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Set within the framework of the EU 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Rural Development Priorities outlined above are linked to this. New Common Provisions regulation applying to all funds Partnership Agreement at UK level and across all Funds 4

one agency The new RDP consists of four schemes with complementary objectives… 5 Countryside Stewardship £3.1bn Countryside Productivity £141m Growth Programme £177m LEADER £138m Improving the environment Priority is biodiversity, but maximise opportunity to deliver biodiversity, water quality and flood benefits together. Around £2.1bn is for ongoing agri- environment agreements from current RDP. Supporting farm and forestry productivity, new enterprises and technology Funding to help farmers and foresters to innovate, use the latest research, for skills and training, and for young entrepreneurs to start up a business. Rural business development Funding to help rural businesses to start or grow their businesses or improve skills and training. Funding to invest in broadband, renewable energy and to promote rural tourism. Mainly smaller projects in rural areas. Funding to support jobs and growth in rural areas. Funding will include help for farming or forestry businesses and to help businesses in rural areas. Total Socio-economic budget £456m … running till 2020

one agency Overview of RDPE 6 Rural Development Programme Countryside Stewardship LEADER Countryside Productivity Growth Programme Natural England Forestry Commission RPA – Rural Development Local Enterprise Partnership Local Action Groups

one agency Countryside Productivity Countryside Stewardship €3.875bn (£3.1bn) 7 Growth Programme €221m (£177m) Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) Funding is available to help farmers and foresters to innovate; to utilise new technology and latest research in their business; to start-up a business or to improve skills and training. Capital grants offer Small capital grants of between £2,500 and £35,000 Large capital grants of between £35,000 and £1,000,000. The current rounds of CP small and large grant schemes have now closed. European Innovation Partnership - EIP-Agri will open formally in September 2015 Further support for farm business start up and support for training, knowledge exchange and demonstration activity will be available by late Funding is available to help farmers and foresters to innovate; to utilise new technology and latest research in their business; to start-up a business or to improve skills and training. Capital grants offer Small capital grants of between £2,500 and £35,000 Large capital grants of between £35,000 and £1,000,000. The current rounds of CP small and large grant schemes have now closed. European Innovation Partnership - EIP-Agri will open formally in September 2015 Further support for farm business start up and support for training, knowledge exchange and demonstration activity will be available by late Rural Development Programme

one agency Countryside Productivity 8 Overall aim: Increase the productivity and enhance the competitiveness of the farming and forestry industries Specifically: increase ratio of output to inputs; increase innovative practice and technology improve resource efficiency improve skills through continued professional development improve animal health and welfare improve environmental sustainability increase net income create new employment opportunities improve succession planning and business transition increase resilience to volatile climate, pricing and other pressures

one agency CP Capital Grants (continued) Capital grants under this offer can support eligible items under these themes: – Arable and horticultural productivity – Animal productivity, health and welfare – Forestry productivity – Resource management 9

one agency Countryside Productivity – Capital Grants An initial offer of £5m to provide large and small capital grants was launched on 09 March 2015 and closed on 30 June. For small grants there is a one-stage application process. For large grants, there is an initial outline application process. If at that stage applicants are successful they are invited to submit a full application. Grant rate of up to 40% on all eligible investments RPA has received around 600 applications for small grants and outline applications for larger grants, with a total value of £25.7million Assessments of the projects have begun and decisions will be communicated to applicants in the Autumn 10

one agency Countryside Productivity – European Innovation Partnership (EIP) The European Innovation Partnership was launched on September 9 th EIP for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-Agri) is intended to foster competitive and sustainable agriculture and forestry by bringing together researchers, farmers and forest managers to apply new approaches and to exchange knowledge. Delivery of the EIP-Agri aims will be primarily through Operational Groups (OGs) running projects. Over 90 ‘Notifications of Ideas’ have been received from partnerships interested in establishing groups to undertake innovative Knowledge Transfer activities RPA and Defra have been running EIP workshops in September and October

one agency Other CP activity In 2016, planned activity includes: Support for industry-led projects that bring businesses together across England to address priority issues. These are expected to initially focus on tackling livestock disease, improving nitrogen efficiency and developing wood-fuel supply chains. Support for training, knowledge exchange and demonstration activity through a new skills offer. Farm Business Start-up Grants for young farmers aged 40 and under to support them in setting up as a holding for the first time.. 12

one agency Growth Programme Countryside Stewardship €3.875bn (£3.1bn) 13 Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) Growth Programme €221m (£177m) Growth Programme €221m (£177m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) Aim: To grow the rural economy in England Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs Minimum grant: £35,000 National priorities: 1.Building knowledge and skills in rural areas 2.Funding and developing micro, small and medium-sized rural businesses 3.Funding small scale renewable investments in rural areas 4.Funding superfast broadband investment in rural areas 5.Supporting tourism in rural areas Aim: To grow the rural economy in England Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs Minimum grant: £35,000 National priorities: 1.Building knowledge and skills in rural areas 2.Funding and developing micro, small and medium-sized rural businesses 3.Funding small scale renewable investments in rural areas 4.Funding superfast broadband investment in rural areas 5.Supporting tourism in rural areas Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020

one agency Growth Programme 14 There are 39 LEPs covering England; 37 have an allocation of EAFRD accounting for €221m. SOLENT’s allocation is €1.764m (£1.412m) 5 LEPs had early adopter calls launched in March 2015 focussed on supporting business development and food processing. The calls have now closed and the applications have been processed by RD operations colleagues and have been through the relevant ESIF committees. 42 outline applications were received. 41 of these have been appraised and reviewed by ESIF Committees resulting in 31 being invited to full application, representing £5.7m grant funding request. 10 calls were launched on Monday 27 July 13 Calls were published on 28 August 19 calls were published on 30 th September. Total value of the above 42 calls was £21.3m. Most calls are open for 3 months. There are 39 LEPs covering England; 37 have an allocation of EAFRD accounting for €221m. SOLENT’s allocation is €1.764m (£1.412m) 5 LEPs had early adopter calls launched in March 2015 focussed on supporting business development and food processing. The calls have now closed and the applications have been processed by RD operations colleagues and have been through the relevant ESIF committees. 42 outline applications were received. 41 of these have been appraised and reviewed by ESIF Committees resulting in 31 being invited to full application, representing £5.7m grant funding request. 10 calls were launched on Monday 27 July 13 Calls were published on 28 August 19 calls were published on 30 th September. Total value of the above 42 calls was £21.3m. Most calls are open for 3 months.

one agency Growth Programme – Project Application Principles The minimum size for business development grants will usually be £35,000. Typically projects will receive approximately 40% funding of the total eligible costs. Project applicants must demonstrate that they can make the financial contribution required. This must come from private means and not other public funding. 2 stage application process – outline followed by full application 15

one agency Growth Programme The following additional types of support will be added to the Programme in stages from 2016 related to: Small-scale rural renewables project grants Skills and business advice for rural businesses Rural broadband grants 16

one agency LEADER Countryside Stewardship €3.875bn (£3.1bn) 17 Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) Growth Programme €221m (£177m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) Aim: To grow the rural economy in England Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs Minimum grant: £2,500 National priorities: Support to increase farm productivity Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification Support for rural tourism Provision of rural services Support for cultural and heritage activity Support for increasing forestry productivity Aim: To grow the rural economy in England Key outcomes: Creation of growth and jobs Minimum grant: £2,500 National priorities: Support to increase farm productivity Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification Support for rural tourism Provision of rural services Support for cultural and heritage activity Support for increasing forestry productivity Rural Development Programme

one agency LEADER 80 LAGs have been selected and their details have been published on GOV.UK LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) have been issued with a standard applicant handbook template to which they can add their contact details and any specific LAG selection criteria The handbook will cover how to apply for funds, eligibility and technical details of each of the 6 priorities. There has been a substantial training programme for the LAGs over the Spring & Summer of 2015 LAGs have developed delivery plans highlighting how the activity required within their areas addresses the six strategic priorities identified at a national level LAGs are now receiving contracts for managing their programmes LAGs will start to open their programmes shortly 18

one agency Countryside Stewardship €3.875bn (£3.1bn) 19 Growth Programme €221m (£177m) Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) Countryside Productivity €176m (£141m) LEADER €172.5m (£138m) Countryside Stewardship has three main elements: Mid-Tier – multi-year agreements for environmental improvements in the wider countryside Higher-Tier – multi-year agreements for environmentally significant sites, commons and woodlands where more complex management requires delivery body support and Capital Grants – a range of one to two year grants for hedgerows and boundaries, improving water quality, developing plans, woodland creation (establishment), and tree health. Countryside Stewardship has three main elements: Mid-Tier – multi-year agreements for environmental improvements in the wider countryside Higher-Tier – multi-year agreements for environmentally significant sites, commons and woodlands where more complex management requires delivery body support and Capital Grants – a range of one to two year grants for hedgerows and boundaries, improving water quality, developing plans, woodland creation (establishment), and tree health. Rural Development Programme

one agency Further information on the 4 Schemes Further information and guidance for applicants for the 4 schemes can be found on Countryside Stewardship Countryside Productivity scheme Growth Programme for-the-rural-economy LEADER funding 20