This section provides information on key partners to consider for the delivery of RDPE projects once approved.
Business Link – Going for Growth
Business Link West Midlands were awarded a RDPE grant of £3.2m to provide enhanced business advice, support and guidance to agricultural businesses and rural enterprises in the region. Support will include free business reviews and business planning activity along with mentoring and support for those pursuing capital investment grant opportunities. Part-funding towards the costs of feasibility studies to support potential grant applications will also be available and these will be invaluable in ensuring sound rural business investments that create the greatest economic impact.
Landskills West Midlands
As part of the RDPE, LandSkills West Midlands, which is managed by Lantra on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, provides up to 80% funding to farmers, foresters and growers towards a wide range of training and development activities, in areas such as agronomy, nutrient management, woodland management, farm specific IT, marketing, health and safety, sustainable forestry practices, tree and woodland eco-systems, farm health plans for livestock farmers in the region and more.
Rural Hubs
There are 5 rural hubs across the West Midlands region who work together to offer business support to farms and rural businesses to develop innovative, profitable and market-led enterprises. Working with Advantage West Midlands the role of the Rural Hubs is to promote the programme to potential applicants, both the programme as a whole and particular funding opportunities and facilitate collaborative working, to take advantage of the programme, between individual businesses and groups of businesses.
Welcome to the Countryside
This project will look to develop, coordinate and deliver a focused rural tourism marketing and product development programme which will benefit tourism businesses operating within Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Shropshire & Telford. The identified priorities involve e-tourism, green/sustainable tourism, festivals and events and food and drink, with the ultimate aim being to increase the volume and value of the rural tourism economy.
HEFF
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) is the regional food group for the West Midlands representing local producers and making locally produced, quality food available to a wider public, raising consumer awareness of our regional strengths and providing sustainable business opportunities to our local food economy.
EFFP
English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) is a specialist agrifood business consultancy, working across the full supply chain. They combine their farming knowledge with food industry expertise to help address structural, commercial and relationship issues.
Farm Stay UK
Farm Stay UK is a farmer owned consortium, registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Act. It’s main objective is to market more effectively the accommodation provided by its members thus helping increase occupancy rates and incomes.
More information is available by visiting the partners website through the above links.