How to apply
Application deadlines
Grants are awarded quarterly. The deadlines are follows:
- 20 October 2010, with awards being made at the Decision Making Group on 2 December 2010
- 3 February 2011, with awards being made at the Decision Making Group in March
- 6 May 2011, with awards being made at the Decision Making Group in June
- 5 August 2011, with awards being made at the Decision Making Group in September
- 28 October 2011, with awards being made at the Decision Making Group in December
Application Papers
The only papers available on line are the Information Note and the Initial Enquiry Form.
Information Note
The LEADER Information Note details what types of activity are eligible for LEADER funding in the Scottish Borders.
Initial Enquiry Form
Please call 01835 826 661 to discuss your project initially. This ensures that your project is eligible and will help you complete the forms. If eligible you will be asked to complete an Initial Enquiry Form.
The full LEADER application form and guidance are only available from the LEADER Coordinator.
Who can apply?
The Local Action Group is keen that the LEADER Programme is as accessible as possible to organisations, groups of businesses, community groups and the wider public.
Applications for financial assistance will be accepted from:
- Constituted community groups
- Public organisations and agencies
- Partnerships, trusts and other non-governmental organisations
- Social enterprises
- Collaborative business/ community networks (constituted groups).
Although individual businesses and individuals can not apply directly to the Programme, they should discuss other routes to support with the LEADER Coordinator. The majority of support to the private sector will be through schemes operated by intermediaries such as Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council.
LEADER also encourages ‘cooperation projects’ developed in partnership with other regions of the EU.
How much is available?
Grants are available up to a maximum of 50% of the total ‘eligible’ project costs, up to an indicative maximum grant of £125,000. For schemes (projects which give out small grants), a maximum of 50% of the eligible grant scheme costs is available, up to an indicative maximum grant of £125,000.
The remainder of the project’s funding must be ‘match funded’ using non-EU public funding, and/or private money. For non-public sector led projects, a minimum of 5% funding must be contributed from the applicant’s own resources. This can be made up of in-kind contributions. An in-kind contribution is a non cash input which can be given a cash value, e.g. a consultant who donates their time to the project, or a construction company which donates materials at no cost.
Cooperation projects developed in partnership with other LEADER regions outside Scotland are eligible for a higher rate of up to 70% grant support.
Funding rounds
Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis with funding being allocated quarterly at the meeting of the Decision Making Group.
Applying
The first step to applying is to contact the LEADER Coordinator who will discuss your project with you and help you complete an Initial Enquiry Form. This form is distributed to the members of the Decision Making Group for their feedback and ideas which are designed to help you with the project. Step 2 is the completion of a full application form which will be submitted with all supporting information to the quarterly Decision Making Group where a decision will be made.
