The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme is managed and administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). EAFRD monies under the programme can be used to support growth, jobs and productivity in all rural areas of the Heart of the South West, with a particular focus on grants for food processing, tourism and micro and small businesses. Below is information relating to the EAFRD Funding Allocation for the Heart of the South West; details of EAFRD Funding Opportunities; and details of Funded EAFRD Projects.
| Fund | Notional Allocation ( £) |
| EAFRD | £15,540,333 |
EAFRD funding through the RDPE Growth Programme supports projects that increase rural jobs, growth and productivity in the Heart of the South West. Funding is split across three specific strands – business development, food processing and rural tourism infrastructure.
There is a two-stage application process in which businesses are first asked to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which means that the outline aims of the project can be assessed on its merits – without the initial need to complete a detailed application. Subject to the RDPE Growth Programme accepting the EOI, applicants are then asked to submit a full application.
There are useful handbooks for each grant – whether applying for funding for Business Development projects, Food Processing or Tourism. They include helpful tips on how to complete the forms and what information is needed for successful applications. They also show examples of successful case studies of projects that have previously been successful in securing grants.
Following successful applications by rural businesses, 52 projects in the HotSW area are already contracted for EAFRD funding.
*** Please note that, at present, there are no live EAFRD funding opportunities through the RDPE Growth Programme. Details of closed funding opportunities are given below for reference only. ***
| Strands/Call Name and Reference | Description | Deadline for Expressions of Interest | Match-funding requirements | Call Status / Latest | |
| Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme – Heart of the South West | Rural Business Development Grants | Farm businesses diversifying into non-agricultural activity and new or existing micro and small businesses (including social enterprises) in rural areas were able to apply for capital grants between £35,000 and £170,000 to support business start-up or expansion. | There was a final deadline of midnight on 31 May 2018 for Expressions of Interest, | Grants would normally cover up to 40% of the project’s total eligible costs. Match-funding was required from private sources (like savings or a bank loan). Please see the supporting handbook here for further information. | Closed |
| Food Processing Grants | New or existing food and drink processing businesses (including farm businesses diversifying into food and drink processing) in rural or urban areas of the Heart of the South West were able to apply for capital grants from £35,000 to support business start-up or expansion. Project proposals located in urban areas were required to demonstrate how their activity will create jobs and growth in the rural economy – for example, through direct benefits to a rural supply chain. | There was a final deadline of midnight on 31 May 2018.for Expressions of Interest. | Match-funding from private sources (like savings or a bank loan) was required, with the exact rate dependent on the nature of the activity. Please see the supporting handbook here for further information. | Closed | |
| Rural Tourism Infrastructure | Rural businesses, farmers, landowners, charities and public bodies were able to apply for capital grants from £35,000 for projects that improve the local rural tourism offer by delivering new or enhanced rural tourism assets and infrastructure. | The final deadline of midnight on 31 May 2018.for Expressions of Interest | Grant rates varied depending on the nature of the activity. Please see the supporting handbook here for further information. | Closed. | |
| Rural Tourism Assets and Infrastructure | This call invited applications for capital projects that support the development of visitor attractions, tourist information and small-scale tourism infrastructure in rural areas of the Heart of the South West. | Friday 8 January 2016 at 1700 hours | Grants were available through this call from £35,000 up to £200,000 (approximately £140,000) depending on state aid already received. Match-funding requirements varied depending on the nature of the activity. | Closed Two projects were funded through this call for proposals |
The Heart of the South West LEP held an ‘RDPE Growth Programme Briefing’ on 24 March 2017 in Cullompton. The event was funded by the RDPE Network and provided potential applicants with information on the RDPE Growth Programme and how to apply. Key materials from the event are available below for reference only:
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme is managed and administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). EAFRD monies under the programme can be used to support growth, jobs and productivity in all rural areas of the Heart of the South West, with a particular focus on grants for food processing, tourism and micro and small businesses.
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership was one of 38 LEPs in England. The LEP was a leader and influencer for economic growth, job creation and prosperity across the Heart of the South West area covering Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
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Chief Executive
David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.
Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.
David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.