THE rural community is being encouraged to grab a slice of a £1.7m funding pot from the European Union before time runs out.

The North Pennines Dales LEADER (NPD LEADER) is offering the funds through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through Durham County Council.

Former applicant and NPD coordinator, Pamela-Jane Harding, gave a presentation on the programme at the latest Teesdale Area Action Partnership (TAP) board meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Harding explained how the fund can help farmers, foresters, grow rural businesses and the wider rural community to create jobs, develop businesses and support the rural economy.

The NPD LEADER is one of 79 across the country which aim to award 70 per cent of their funding to directly support economic growth and create jobs.

Meanwhile, 30 per cent of funding will be given to ‘community’ type projects which contribute to indirect economic growth and capital projects.

The NPD LEADER covers Teesdale, Weardale, South Tynedale and rural mid-Durham and rural Gateshead.

Funding will be awarded through a decision-making board called the Local Action Group (LAG).

Ms Harding said the project is currently running until 2020 with all money having to be allocated by March 2019.

“We don’t know what will happen in terms of Brexit but funding for the rural economy is needed,” she said.

Ms Harding said the minimum amount projects would receive is £2,500.

The programme has six priority areas including farm productivity, micro and small business and farm diversification, rural tourism, rural services, culture and heritage and forestry productivity.

Examples of formers projects which have been awarded funding include buying new equipment, investments to improve animal welfare, creating farm shops and even camping pods.

TAP board member and LAG chief executive, Steve Robson, encouraged those in the rural community to get involved with the programme which is currently supporting eight projects.

He said: “It’s a fantastic programme for rural communities and been around for many years but this programme particularly has a strong focus on economic development, so we would really encourage them to see this as a way to grow and create employment and prosperity in their area.”

Talking about Brexit, Mr Robson added: “What we have really got to do is get people involved in the programme but also give people confidence that there’s still time – it’s not panic stations.”

The application process takes between three and six months.

  • To apply or for more information visit durham.gov.uk/npdleader or contact Ms Harding on 03000-266895, 07557849246 or email northpenninedales@durham.gov.uk