The Chilterns AONB

LEADER Grants Programme

The LEADER programme is a source of funding for rural businesses from the EU and Defra through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The Chilterns is one of 13 Local Action Groups (LAGs) which have been awarded LEADER funds via the South East and East of England Development Agencies. The Chilterns LAG has £2.5 million to distribute to rural businesses within a proscribed geographical area between 2008 and 2013.

Those eligible to apply for funds include:

Farmers
Foresters
Growers
Other rural businesses
Community organisations

The maximum size grant distributed is £50,000. Commercial projects can receive up to 30-50% funding, community projects can receive up to 70% (or possibly higher in exceptional circumstances).

The priority themes of the Chilterns LAG are:

Woodland Wood Fuels - developing the markets for, and adding value to, existing timber and forestry products through processing and supporting product diversification.
Food and Farming - encouraging development of opportunities to add value locally and diversify into related and new activities
Tourism and Leisure - supporting sustainable tourism based on the area's accessible high quality environmental and cultural heritage; by exploiting the proximity of popular tourist destinations e.g. London, Windsor and Oxford.
Environmental and Cultural Heritage - supporting economic activity which conserves and enhances the landscape, historic environment, and biodiversity; and encouraging local communities to become more involved with its care.
Addressing Climate Change - supporting renewable energy initiatives based on the woodlands of the Chilterns; helping land managers mitigate the causes of climate change and adapt to its impacts and make best use of new business opportunities.
Building Rural Community Capacity - enhancing links with the local economy; assisting them to develop skills and resources to manage better local facilities and resources; and supporting community activities which develop access to and enhance the environment and countryside.

The Chilterns LEADER grants programme is being managed by ngage.