Yorkshire Forward is responsible for delivering the socio-economic aspects of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the UK government. The programme runs from 2007-2013, this means we are able to invest £63m in our region over 6 years through grants to businesses in rural areas and to activities which support the rural economy.

Please note that ‘businesses’ can be of a variety of types (see below) and the key issue is where they are located, not what they do (ie they need not be connected to agriculture).

The Rural Enterprise Investment Programme (REIP) is open to start-ups, businesses which want to expand, and partner organisations.

Grants for rural businesses start at £25,000. So, for example, activity eligible for a 40% grant would need to be for a total cost of more than £62,500. The percentage of funding available will generally range between 30% and 40% of the total project cost, and is dependent on the type of activity being funded. The upper limit for funding varies, depending on the type of activity proposed—although private match-funding is always required.

Investments are targeted towards the following key sectors:

• Adding value to, and the processing of, primary agricultural products
• Local food and drink
• The creative industries
• Visitor products and services
• Public access, leisure and recreation activities
• Renewable energy and waste management
• Woodland products
• Traditional land-based trades
• Social enterprirse and key community services
• Collaborative ventures.

Supporting the livestock farming sector is also a priority. If this is your area, your proposal should involve:

• Improved animal health and welfare
• Improved nutrient management
• Increased competitiveness.

Proposed projects will also have to:

• Promote innovation
• Demonstrate good/high growth potential
• Promote collaborative actions between businesses and through supply chains
• Deliver multiplier effects, such as wider public ‘goods’ and benefits
• Provide high-quality employment opportunities
• Develop a skilled and adaptable rural workforce.

Before you submit a full application, Yorkshire Forward must receive an ‘expression of interest’ (EOI) which outlines your proposal, and you must have received written feedback from us. We consider EOIs on a weekly basis, and we try to provide feedback within a week, to help you decide if you want to continue to the full application stage.

On receipt of your EOI, if your proposal is considered to be a high priority for the REIP, a rural business facilitator will provide guidance on how to put a formal application to Yorkshire Forward.   

To discuss the Rural Enterprise Investment Programme (REIP) or Farm Resource Efficiency Programme (FREP) please contact:

Louise Hardcastle
West Yorkshire Rural Business Facilitator
E-mail.  (Louise.Hardcastle@Yorkshire-Forward.com)
Tel.  0113 394 9986

Chris Franklin
South Yorkshire & Humber Rural Business Facilitator
E-mail. (Chris.Franklin@Yorkshire-Forward.com)
Tel.  07966 622059

Helen Ovens
North Yorkshire Rural Business Facilitator
E-mail.   (Helen.Ovens@Yorkshire-Forward.com)
Tel.  0113 394 9644