Rural Broadband Challenge Fund
The arrangements for a Rural Broadband Challenge Fund that will deliver support for Broadband projects in rural areas was announced 1 July 2010.
Applications are being sought for projects that should be in keeping with the LEADER principles and should have a positive rural development impact which they consider improved broadband access would bring.
Examples include: community groups wishing to upgrade exchanges, pilot projects into next generation broadband, supporting a business collective to access better broadband etc
Project activity and claims should be complete within 2 years of the official start date, or the end date of the LEADER Programme, whichever is sooner.
Once submitted and assessed by the Leader Local Action Group, a bid will be made by the LAG to the central Rural Broadband Challenge Fund.
Who can apply
- Applications for financial assistance will be accepted from:
- Individuals (although the project must support LEADER principles and demonstrate wider rural development benefits)
- Constituted community groups
- Public organisations and agencies
- Partnerships, trusts and other non-governmental organisations
- Social enterprises
- Collaborative business/ community organisations (constituted groups).
Where the key benefits are for settlements with populations of over 10,000 (which are excluded from the LEADER Programme) funding will also be ineligible for Rural Broadband funding.
What support is available?
There is no limit set for the value of project bids. One million euros is to the total funding available in the Challenge Fund. No match funding is required ie 100% costs under Challenge Fund.
There is also an option for LAGs to apply directly to the Scottish Government for technical support for the preparation of funding bids.
Application process and criteria
Applications should be made on existing RT LEADER application forms no later than 13 August 2010 and will be assessed in the usual way. Thereafter all approved applications will be submitted as one bid for Scottish Government consideration by the LAG by 24 September 2010.
In assessing applications from areas consideration should be given to how improvements can be made to enable on line applications to be made for SRDP and other rural development grant support.
(b) Scottish Government assessment
Bids will be assessed byan independent panel consisting of representatives of the Scottish Government and stakeholders.
Following assessment of bids in October LAGs will be informed of the outcome shortly after.
The LEADER conditions of grant apply.
