Leader in the Peak 2015 to 2020
Leader in the Peak has supported over 70 businesses and community projects in the Peak area to increase employment opportunities and improve productivity through a £1.7 million fund.
LEADER rural funding is now closed. If you would like to be contacted about any future rural grant funding opportunities please contact the programme office, email: peak.leader@derbyshire.gov.uk
The aim of the Peak Leader programme was to create more jobs, safeguard existing jobs, attract investment from the private sector to the area and develop community services. Specific focus was given to supporting farm productivity, developing small businesses, tourism, heritage developments, rural services and supporting the woodland economy through forestry improvements.
Businesses and community groups in rural areas of Derbyshire Dales, High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands were able to apply for the funding with a minimum grant amount of £2,500. Grant amounts have averaged £21,245 per project.
Grants have provided funding to:
- farm productivity and improvement
- farm diversification
- micro and small business support
- developing rural services
- small scale culture and heritage developments and improvements
- rural tourism − new small tourist attractions
- forestry improvements through improving productivity
To the end of February 2019, 70 projects created 118 new jobs alongside 43 new techniques developed to assist productivity within businesses. Investment supported work to provide 17,092 additional visitors with enhanced facilities in the area.
The Leader Development Strategy attached to this page has been the key document for driving investment of the grant programme.
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.
Links to useful documents