CASE
Guidance
Rural Community and Social Enterprises in the South West
Within the overall programme regional partners have prioritised support for Community and Social Enterprises as a means to improve the delivery of, and access to, basic services within rural communities.
What is a social or community enterprise?
There is no universally agreed definition of a community and social enterprise. Therefore for the purposes of administering this element of the RDPE, a community or social enterprise is defined as:
“A community or social enterprise is a formally constituted group or business which trades primarily for social purposes rather than being driven by the need to maximise profits. Whilst governance and legal structures will vary, they exist for the benefit of the local community, either to promote a particular activity or service or to achieve a set of socially based objectives”.
How does the support work?
The support is targeted in two ways;
· Advice and support for community and social enterprises that deliver basic services, in order to improve their overall viability
· As a grant to support projects from community and social enterprises for the improved delivery of, and access to, basic services
Is this support available in all rural areas in the South West?
This support comes from a European funded programme for rural areas via the UK Government department, DEFRA. for the programme.
Other elements of the Programme operate within defined and more limited spatial areas. For example the ‘Local Action’ element has defined eligible areas. The funding in this element however is not limited in that way and is available to all rural areas, as defined above, in the region.
What activities can be supported through the grant programme?
A grant programme is available to directly support the provision or delivery of basic services for the economy and community. Where this would help to secure and/or broaden the range of services available the grant can be used for;
- the creation or development of community and social enterprises
- the development of community buildings
Applicants will be required to demonstrate that their enterprise is a financially stable and sustainable way of delivering services to their community.
The following example, although supported via a different programme, demonstrates the type of projects that could be supported under this programme.
“Villagers in Blisland on Bodmin Moor are celebrating today with the start of work on a multi-purpose community centre to replace the rusting shipping container that has been home to their post office and village shop for the last six years.
Ever since the original post office and shop closed in 1999, villagers have been running their own from the donated container. The new centre, which is being built on the site of a former bus garage and will include a post office, village shop, GP consulting room, computer access and three small business units available to rent. The new centre will be run by the community, for the community.”
How much is available and how much grant can I apply for?
There is £2m per annum available for grants over the next three years. Levels of support may be 100% of the eligible costs. All grant requests will be assessed for viability, sustainability and value for money and the final award may be adjusted or declined based on this appraisal.
How do I apply
for the grants?
A project facilitation service, to
help community groups to develop project applications and business plans, is
available For more information contact
Dawn Eckhart,
Social Enterprise Advisor at the Community Council of Devon on
01392 383681, email dawn@devonrcc.org.uk
Or Charlotte Weedon,
Community Project officer charlotte2@devonrcc.org.uk
01392383345
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
http://www.swan-network.org.uk/uploads/documents/caseportalofinformation.pdf
