For food and drink producers, businesses and farmers, visitor attractions and accommodation providers, rural community organisations and public bodies in the Coast to Capital LEP area.

With the deadline to submit an Expression of Interest fast approaching, this workshop provides an opportunity to find out more about the capital funding that is currently available to support business growth and productivity and to develop or improve rural tourism infrastructure within the Coast to Capital LEP area.

Meet representatives of the Rural Payments Agency/Defra, the Coast to Capital Growth Hub, and the Rural West Sussex Partnership and learn about the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and the Coast to Capital Growth Grant Programme 2019-2020.

Find out if you are eligible and how much funding your business or organisation could receive from the capital funding opportunities. The RDPE Growth Programme, which currently has an Expression of Interest deadline of 16 February 2020 offers Food Processing, Rural Tourism Infrastructure, and Business Development funding with a minimum £20,000 grant. The Coast to Capital Growth Grant Programme 2019-2020, with a minimum grant of £40,000, will help fund capital grant projects to improve productivity and introduce innovation.

Afterwards, you can stay for a sandwich lunch and network with the other attendees or meet the representatives for a 1-2-1 discussion about your particular capital funding needs and any questions you may have about the application process. The funding teams will be able to advise what is best for your business and for the project requiring funding.

MORE INFORMATION

1. Where can I find out more information about these grants?

The RDPE Growth Programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EADRD) and three capital-only streams are currently open for expressions of interest: Rural Tourism Infrastructure available to a wide range of rural businesses and organisations, Business Development for small rural businesses (new or existing) including farmers that want to diversify, and Food Processing for rural and urban food and drink businesses that process agricultural and horticultural products. The minimum grant is £20,000 to a maximum of around £175,000 (maximum around £750,000 for Food Processing subject to state aid legislation) at 40% of eligible costs for commercial applicants.

RDPE Growth Programme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme

The Coast to Capital Growth Grant Programme is designed to stimulate capital investment to help businesses introduce innovation and improve productivity. The minimum grant is £40,000 with 40% of the capital costs usually being grant funding and the remaining 60% funded by the applicant, which means the minimum project value is £100,000.

Coast to Capital Growth Grant: https://www.coast2capital.org.uk/growth-grant

2. Where can I check that my business or organisation is in a designated area in the Coast to Capital region?

Check the location of your business or organisation against the RDPE Growth Programme map for the Coast to Capital LEP area at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme-rural-maps

For Rural Tourism Infrastructure and Business Development grants, check that your business is within a designated rural area at https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx

3. What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Off road and nearby parking is available. For information on location and directions, please see https://www.thakehamvillagehall.co.uk/contact

4. Are there other dates available?

If you are unable attend on this date, you can join the workshop on Friday 10 January 2020 from 10.00am – 12.30pm at The Victory Hall, Stockcroft Road, Balcombe, West Sussex RH17 6HP

Book your place on Eventbrite at https://rwsp-fundingworkshop-10jan20.eventbrite.co.uk