New rural support is sparked by LEADER’s fantastic achievements!
The LEADER Programme, which has supported rural businesses across the country over the last 30 years, has come to a close. Delivered by Buckinghamshire-based not-for-profit Ngage Solutions between 2008-2022, the rural business support scheme has made a valuable and lasting impact that helped to create jobs, drive investment and support business growth in the local rural economy.
Hundreds of local rural businesses have been supported by LEADER, with interventions including farm diversification, forestry and tourism projects, cultural and heritage projects, and support for rural services and small rural companies.
Will Dallimore, LEADER Programme Manager at Ngage Solutions, commented: “Supporting businesses with LEADER grants throughout the programme has been hugely rewarding and has benefited the lives of many. It has been a privilege to see new businesses started, jobs created, and skills developed. LEADER funding has been game-changing in how businesses operate, improving productivity, enhancing animal health and welfare, and providing huge environmental gains in the process. And that’s not to mention all the local products that have gone on to be stocked on shelves, not just locally but around the world.”
Through delivery by Ngage Solutions, LEADER directly supported 253 rural organisations with grant funding, helping create at least 400 new jobs in the Chilterns, Clay Vales and, from 2015, in North & West Northamptonshire. The programme supported the creation of more than 50 new businesses, and generated a combined £23.2 million investment in rural areas, with £8.8 million in grants awarded.
Despite the LEADER project coming to an end, its legacy will live on through a new business support scheme called Rural Ngage.
Supported by Will Dallimore, Rural Ngage will help to demystify the rapidly changing rural funding landscape and provide support to businesses who are looking to grow, innovate and diversify.
Will explains: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with so many of our dedicated, innovative and supportive rural businesses over the course of my time on LEADER, and especially to see them develop and grow. I now look forward to continuing to provide rural business support, creating collaborations and maintaining the relationships we have developed in my new role as Rural Business Development Manager at Ngage Solutions.”
Businesses that want to stay abreast of the support on offer from rural capital grant schemes, including the Rural England Prosperity Fund, which replaces the LEADER Programme and RDPE Growth Programme, should head to the Rural Ngage online business hub. Alternatively, Will is available to contact via email at William.Dallimore@ngagesolutions.co.uk or by calling 01494 927167.
In addition, rural businesses based in the Buckingham constituency of Greg Smith MP are invited to attend the Spotlight on Rural Businesses briefing event on January 13th. The latest in the series of MP Business Briefings hosted by Buckinghamshire Business First will take place at The Real Drinks Co. in Waddesdon, a beneficiary of LEADER funding themselves. For further details, please visit: https://bbf.uk.com/event/business-briefing-with-greg-smith-mp-spotlight-on-rural-businesses