Rural Access to Opportunities Fund
The aim of the Rural Access to Opportunities Fund (York and North Yorkshire) is to provide investment to support interventions in rural areas, which have the potential to improve or maintain access to services by rural residents and businesses.
Projects and activities funded through this programme will have a primary economic purpose and will deliver economic outputs and outcomes, set within the context of sustainable rural communities.
Priorities
To provide:
- Access to essential goods and services; employment; advice and support; health support.
- Access to training which will help individuals and businesses develop.
- Access to communications, both land and web based.
- Access to support for the unemployed and those whose employment is 'at risk', including the self-employed.
NB
. The focus will be on providing
accessto,
rather than the
service itself, unless there is a demonstrable market failure in providing the service.
Every effort will be made to ensure that any activity funded through this project will not duplicate that already being undertaken by Business Link Yorkshire and the Area Tourism Partnerships; rather it will aim to be complementary.
Eligibility
The fund is open to application by Community Groups, Voluntary Groups, Rural Businesses, Social Enterprises, and to Local Authorities where the project does not cover core statutory work and involves more than just the individual authority
Grant Size
£10,000 - £50,000 with a maximum project cost of £100,000 (except in exceptional circumstances).
Project must have 50% match funding.
Deadlines
The programme is rolling and regular decision making meetings are held throughout the year.
It is expected that applications will take up to two months from submission to decision.
Application Process
Application forms and guidelines can be downloaded at
www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk.
Please contact the Rural Support Officer before completing your application form.
Contact
To discuss your project idea please call the Rural Support Officer based at Rural Action Yorkshire, Jane Johnson on 0845 313 0270 ext 234
07540 691029 or by email
jane.johnson@ruralyorkshire.org.uk
The Rural Access to Opportunities Fund is provided by Yorkshire Forward and delivered by Rural Action Yorkshire and North Yorkshire County Council to improve access to services in rural areas