Funding and Support
Local Action is designed to help rural communities, businesses and the environment. Voluntary, public and private organisations or businesses may apply for Local Action support, providing that their project fits within one or more of the six local objectives and hits one or a number of the targets set by the Levels & Moors Local Action Group. These objectives and targets show where the need is within the Levels & Moors that this funding can really help.
There are three grant types:
Main project grants are available for projects that meet one or more of the 6 local themes and will have outcomes that match one or a number of the local targets (these can be found here). There is a lower limit of £1,000 available, but no upper limit. We would expect though that most projects will be between £1,000 and £40,000. You will need to provide cash match funding - we are flexible on the level this needs to be. Please ring Programme Staff to get further advice on this.
This grant is available to any organisation, charity, business or community group that has a project representing local community needs.
To discuss an idea further please contact the Scheme Manager, Dominie Dunbrook on 01458 257463 or email: ddunbrook@somerset.gov.uk
Or you can download the forms and guidance notes from here.
A small business grant that can help towards costs of product development, some aspects of marketing and development or equipment to reduce your carbon footprint. Grants are available from £1000 to £5000, up to a maximum of 50% and a total project cost of £15,000.
This grant is open to businesses only with a turnover of less than £2.6m and with fewer than 10 employees.
Local Action grants can be used, amongst other things, for:
- Promotion and publicity
- Training and seminars
- Walking, cycling and alternative transport
- Labour costs and consultancy
- Setting up new networks / co-ops
- Feasibility studies and local research
- Equipment
- Small scale use of renewable technologies
- Improving access to local services
Local Action grants CANNOT be used for:
- Current activities (all projects should be new)
- Putting the competition ‘out of business'
- Meeting statutory or legislative requirements
To discuss an idea further please contact the Scheme Manager, Dominie Dunbrook on 01458 257463 or email: ddunbrook@somerset.gov.uk
Or you can download the forms and guidance notes from here.
A Village Halls and Community Buildings small grant Scheme that can support environmental improvements that lead to an increase use in the venue for the benefit of the wider community is available. This is open to any community building based within the Levels and Moors area. Activities that can be supported include:
- Internal or external energy efficiency works
- Small scale renewable energy actions
- Energy efficiency measures, such as insulating, solar energy, wind energy, photovoltaic panels etc.
- The proposed work must lead to an increase usage in the building
- The works must be based on an energy efficiency survey that has been carried out (or similar)
This is a small grants scheme so awards will be made between £1,000 - £5,000, but in some exceptional cases up to £10,000 may be awarded.
There are 2 funding rounds at the moment and completed applications must be received by either of the following dates: September 30th 2010 or March 31st 2011.
Further details can be obtained by contacting the Scheme Manager: Dominie Dunbrook on 01458 257463 or email: ddunbrook@somerset.gov.uk
Or by downloading the application forms and guidance from here