£2.5 million EU Funding for North Wessex Downs

Significant new funding is now available to help local individuals and organisations, including farmers and foresters, community groups and other rural businesses across the North Wessex Downs (NWD) region. The North Wessex Downs Local Action Group (LAG), has secured £2.5m of LEADER* funding, which will be granted to projects that support the rural economy of the area.

Grants from £5000 to £50,000 offers assistance for a wide range of projects, from community stores or farmers markets, to sustainable tourist attractions and renewable energy schemes .The application process is simple and decisions are made fast, as Ian Ritchie, Chairman of NWD LAG explained: "We are here to help, at every step! We are passionate about supporting the local economy, so have minimized the red tape to ensure applications are processed as swiftly as possible. This is a very exciting opportunity for the region and we would urge anyone who is interested in applying, to contact us as soon as possible".

This EU stream of funding, which will be available until 2013, can be used for projects that support the rural economy of the NWD, and fulfill one or more of the following requirements:

• Support community development and business transformation

• Promote local food

• Develop climate change adaptation and mitigation measures

• Create opportunities for all to enjoy the North Wessex Downs

Invitations are being invited from businesses and individuals that are based within the across the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This includes an area from Calne in the west, to Reading in the east, Wantage in the north and Whitchurch in the south. For more information on the LEADER funding including a map showing the area eligible for funding visit: www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/grants

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For more information, details of successful applications, to arrange an interview with Ian Ritchie or for a copy of the Funding Reference Guide please contact:

Jennifer John Cat Cambridge

Ceres Ceres

Tel: 0118 947 5956 Tel: 0118 947 5956

Mobile 07860 555233

E: jennifer.john @ceres-pr.co.uk E: cat.cambridge@ceres-pr.co.uk

Editors’ notes:

*LEADER is a mechanism for delivering an important new source of funding for foresters, farmers, rural businesses and community organisations. The funding is part of the rural development programme of England (RDPE) with the money coming from Europe via SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) and SWRDA (South West Regional Development Agency).