Eligibility

Core Criteria

These are the core criteria for the LEADER+ programme and it is essential that applicants can demonstrate that they can fulfil all these criteria.

1. Located within CARD’s geographical area - the rural wards of Craigavon and Armagh City and District Councils
   
2. Relates to central themes of ‘Improving the Quality of Life in Rural Areas’
   
3. The project contributes to the objectives and performance targets of CARD’s Business Plan
   
4. The project has not commenced
   
5. The project is genuinely additional and will not cause displacement in the area.
   
6. Funding is not available for the project from any other EU source.
   
7. The project currently employs 10 persons or less.
   
8. The project complies with all existing environmental legislation.
   
9. The project complies with all existing state-aid legislation.
   
10. The project is private sector based (not conventional retail / or distributive services whose survival should be determined by competitive forces).
    
11. If the project requires planning permission, then at least outline approval must be obtained.
    
    

Assessment Criteria

If the project is deemed eligible by fulfilling the above, these are the criteria that the proposal will be scored against.

1. The Project sustains/creates jobs (high weighting given to job creation)
   
2. The project targets priority groups (youth, women, farmers & farm families, long-term unemployed)
   
3. The project is innovative in process/sector/area
   
4. There is an identified need for the project.
   
5. The project is sustainable – physically, socially and environmentally
   
6. Good track record and experience
   
7. Appropriate skills and resources for project to proceed.
   
8. The project targets deprived areas.
   
9. The project has positive environmental impact.
   
10. The project is transferable – can be used as a model

Innovation is a key principle of the LEADER+ Programme. You must clearly demonstrate how your project is innovative, i.e. how the project is particularly new or creative.

You must show that there is a market for the proposed product or service and that the project will be capable of attaining economic viability. Projects must also demonstrate the sustainability or creation of new jobs.

Ineligible Expenditure

• Community or statutory sectors
  
• Conventional retail and distributive services such as restaurants, shops, garages hairdressing and domestic or dry cleaning.
  
• Businesses in the urban areas of Brownlow, Portadown, Lurgan and Armagh city.
  
• Primary agricultural production or related activities, e.g. purchase of livestock, milk recording, poultry or egg projects, including projects grant-aided under the Operational
  
• Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry
  
• The purchase of land and buildings
  
• Working capital including stock
  
• Motor vehicles
  
• Salaries of existing employees & Running Costs
  
• General purpose storage facilities
  
• Polytunnels
  

The above is not an exhaustive list and other limitations may apply within each sector.

Board Policy Decisions

Due to the high volume of demand expected for this programme the board has also introduced the following policies.

• It is envisaged that grants won’t normally exceed £50,000.
  
• Projects would normally not be deemed eligible where the grant requested was less than 10% of overall costs.
  

It should also be noted project expenditure must be paid for by cheque or money order – no cash payments allowed.