Basic services for the economy and rural population

Objective of the measure

To improve or maintain the living conditions and welfare of those living in rural areas, and to increase the attractiveness of such areas through the provision of more and better basic services, for the economy and the rural population.

Eligible Applicants

Applicant businesses must be located in a rural area. They may be:

private individuals, aged over 18 years
social economy enterprises
social economy enterprises*
councils

*Definition: Social Economy Enterprise (SEE) are viewed as those organisations that have a social, community or ethical purpose, operate using a commercial business model and have a legal form appropriate to a not -for personal profit status.

What types of projects can be supported?

Examples of project could include:

Outreach work providing access to a wide range of services (health & well being; education; benefits; jobs; financial and debt counselling)
‘Door-step’ delivery of a range of services
ICT Services which provide access to information on housing; healthcare; benefits; jobs; financial and debt counselling; education or other services to rural communities
Sharing of equipment and premises in order to deliver value for money services
Better or multiple usage of existing or new community buildings or other public facilities in providing access to a wide range of services e.g. housing a number of key services such as healthcare; training; IT; childcare; library; community shop; pharmacy or other service provisions in the one building.

Grant Rates

Activity	Level of Support	Maximum funding
Grant aid towards capital and resource costs	Up to 50% for the private sector Up to 75% for social economy enterprises, *including Community Groups* Up to 75% for non departmental public bodies and councils	£50 000£250 000£250 000
Marketing support	Up to 50% for the private sectorUp to 75% for social economy enterprises *including Community Groups* Up to 75% for non departmental public bodies and councils	£5 000 in any one of the activities, or as a composite of two or three
Bespoke training intrinsic to individual applications which is not on offer from any other provider
Technical support to help new businesses become established and to help existing businesses to consolidate and expand

Social economy businesses and non departmental public bodies may provide match funding in the form of contribution-in-kind (up to 20%) and cash contribution of at least 5%.

No advances will be paid, except to SEE’s @ a maximum of 20% of total grant award.