Need funding for your project or a business idea?

Are you a local business, local farmer or involved in the agricultural sector, social enterprise or voluntary and community organisation that is looking for funding for your project in the Vaynor, Aberfan and Merthyr Vale, Cyfarthfa, Bedlinog or Plymouth Ward?

The Rural Development Team will be holding a grant surgery in the Butchers Arms in Pontsticill on the 7th March 2012 between 16:00 – 19.00. Please come along and discuss your project with a member of the team. For more information, please contact Jared Green on 01685 724919

Grants of up to £15,000 are available and the team can also refer to other funders.

Areas which will be considered for funding are:
1) Diversification into non-agricultural activities:
To support members of the farm household who diversify in non-agricultural activities:
• Service activities (B&B’s, education and social activities on the farm)
• Craft activities (pottery, production of local products)
• Trade activities (creation of a store attached to a farm where self made products are sold
to customers)

2) Support for Business Creation and Development
To support: (excluding tourism or direct agricultural activity)
• The set-up or growth of micro-enterprises, addressing main factors such as skills and
advice.
• Broadening the sources of entrepreneurship and developing higher value business
opportunities to deliver a better range of well-paid employment opportunities
• Enhancing and providing additional support and services for the rural economy, including
the environment
• Addressing gaps in skill provision and non-mainstream training to develop personal and
community level confidence to take action and meet needs.

3) Encouragement of Tourism Activities:
To Support:
• Small scale infrastructure as information and sign posting of tourism sites
• Recreational infrastructure as that offering access to natural areas.
• The development and/or marketing of tourism services related to rural tourism.

4) Improve the Quality of Life in Rural Areas (Basic Services for the Rural Economy and
Population)
To support:
• Leisure, Sport, Cultural and environment activities including Welsh language promotion
• Improving Childcare Facilities
• Developing skills and the use of ITC
• Promoting Local Transport Services

5) Village Renewal and Development
To Support:
• Renovation of buildings
• Environmental upgrading eg. parks, roadsides

6) Conservation and Upgrading of Rural Heritage
To Support: Natural and Cultural Heritage
• Environmental awareness actions
• Investments associated with the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of natural
heritage.
• Studies and investments associated with maintenance, restoration and upgrading of
cultural heritage.

7) Training and Information Measure for Economic Actors
To Support:
• Providing local provision of general life skills, business skills, key trade skills, transfer of
traditional land skills and ICT skills etc.
• The training must not overlap with any ESF projects delivering within the area.
• Economic actors to benefit include CICs, communities of interest, proprietors of microenterprises,
women, young people, people of working age who are currently unable to
work and the elderly.

Cant make the date? There will also be surgeries held at the following venues:
• HEOLGERRIG SOCIAL CLUB – 08/03/2012 between 16:00 – 19:00
• THE COLLIERS ARMS – 15/03/2012 between 16:00 – 19:00
• MOUNT PLEASANT INN - 21/03/2012 between 16:00 – 19:00
• BEDLINOG RESOURCE CENTRE – 22/03/2012 between 16:00 – 19:00