PROJECT APPLICATIONS

TO ENSURE ELIGIBILITY, PLEASE CONTACT THIS OFFICE TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT IN DETAILS, PRIOR TO MAKING YOUR APPLICATION.

Please submit all applications electronically or in draft form for consideration. 

The Application form is available under Information.

 APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE:

22 February 2010

4 June 2010

24 September 2010

10 January 2011

 Applications for projects appropriate to the objectives of the Programme can be made by constituted not-for-profit groups.  Those benefitting from the project must either live or work in the Cairngorms National Park area.

The total value of the project may be up to £100,000; it may be possible to fund projects above this but only in exceptional cases.  The maximum contribution to any project will be no more than 41% in west Cairngorms and 45% in east Cairngorms, of the total project cost.  The applicant must find the remaining funds from other public and private sources, including in-kind contributions.  A minimum of 5% is expected to be contributed by the applicant.

The staff will assist potential applicants to understand the scope of the Programme and to develop eligible applications.  Where projects do not receive funding or are ineligible, the Programme Manager will provide feedback and where appropriate, offer advice to redevelop the project, or advise on other possible funding sources.

The Applicant is encouraged to discuss any proposed project with staff before completing the Application Form.  The Application Form and Application form Guidelines can be found in the Information section of this website.

Where the Applicant would like to have an idea considered but is unsure of eligibility, please complete the Project Proposal form,  also found under Information or fill out the Enquiry Form, found under the Enquiries section.

LEADER funding, in general, may not be used with other forms of European funding.

What Happens Next?

Once the Programme Manager has confirmed that the project is eligible for funding support, a full, formal application is requested for the project, including background and financial information. The Project as a whole is discussed with the Applicant, exchange of information will take place extensively, through meetings, telephone and email.

When the completed Application Form is received by the Programme Manager, the Project is appraised formally against the objectives.

The project is then put forward to the Local Action Group who depending on the level of applications, will normally meet every two months from May 2008.

When a project is approved, the Cairngorms Local Action Group will issue a formal “letter of offer” with appropriate terms and conditions specific to the project.

This formal “Letter of Offer” must be returned, signed by the Applicant and group memebers within four weeks of the offer being made.

When a project is rejected, the Programme Manager will contact the Applicant as soon as possible to explain the decision and to offer further assistance as appropriate.