Programme Objectives

The purpose of the Making it Local programme is to use the outstanding environmental quality and local human potential of this area as a springboard for sustainable economic growth. Making it Local has three strategic objectives, around which projects will be funded that are listed below. It is important that potential applicants show how their projects fit these objectives in order to obtain funding.
 
A. Raise business performance and local employment.
B. Communities and Connections.
C. Make the most of local resources.
 
Main Grants Fund (£10,000 - £100,000) - projects will need to focus on at least one or more of these objectives. 
Small Grants Fund (£1000 - £10,000) - projects will need to be aware of these objectives but need to focus on the Small Grants Fund areas (please visit the Small Grants page).
 
Main Programme Objectives in detail
 
A. Raise business performance and local employment.
For projects that support micro and small businesses, to make them more ambitious and productive, to create more sustainable jobs and to make the most of markets for local products and services
 

1. Help people to develop their enterprise, their business skills and leadership abilities 
Mostly for individual micro or small businesses, and those that support them, for training, feasibilities, marketing, start-up costs and to do what is needed help them to develop.
 
2. Develop and improve the markets for local products and services
For individual micro or small business, social enterprises and other groups doing things like an arts gallery for local arts, websites that attract people to buy local products or expanding farmers markets
3. Build local knowledge and aspiration through exemplar sustainability projects
For individual micro or small business, social enterprises and other groups creating exciting, high profile ventures like eco-tourism, energy generation or community food growing.

 
B. Support Communities and Connections
For projects that help communities and businesses to be more resilient and sustainable by developing strong local connections, essential community services and community held assets.
 

1. Increase joint working and cooperation between and within communities, businesses and other groups
To develop collaborative projects like group woodland management, food co-operatives or using social networking to make local links.
 
2. Develop and improve sustainable rural services
To do things like run village hubs, develop local allotments or create new transport solutions.
3. Collaborate on the development and use of renewable energies
For business and organisations to work together on things like useable methane from food waste, wood fuel or cost effective community generated power.

 
C. Make the most of local resources
For projects which strengthen the local economy through sensitive and sustainable use of the landscape and natural resources, and that work with local culture and built heritage.
 

1. Increase sustainable tourism, recreation and access
To develop projects like all ability trails, parish footpaths or forest-based recreation.
 
2. Encourage new and sustainable use of existing natural resources
To make things like new wood or food products, fibre-product development or land-based activities.
3. Make the most of the local environment as a product particularly through cultural, arts and heritage activities
To run cultural events like arts festivals, to use the landscape as a brand or restore landscape features.