Conwy Voluntary Services Council
Cyngor Gwasanaethau Gwirfoddol Conwy
www.cvsc.org.uk
Conwy Rural Development Plan- Conwy Key Fund
2011 – 2013
Guidance Notes for Applicants
Conwy Voluntary Services Council manages the Conwy Key Fund, a small grants
scheme for voluntary and community organisations operating in, and for the benefit
of the people and communities of Rural Conwy Borough (please see enclosed map
for a list of eligible wards).
This scheme will offer capital grants (large items of equipment, development of
facilities, or land) and revenue funding (smaller equipment items, start up or ongoing
running costs). The programme will cover four “key themes” identified within the
Conwy Rural Development Plan, namely :
Farm Diversification, Rural Heritage, Rural Tourism and Village Renewal
Farm Diversification
There will be a combination of capital and revenue grants available, at a maximum
rate of £7,500. Grant recipients will need to find 25% match funding. This scheme
will provide support to assist farm household members achieve better paid
employment potential, to raise economic activity and increase farm incomes in rural
Conwy. For example :
• Bed and breakfast;
• Education and social activities on farms;
• Craft activities such as pottery;
• Development of local products;
* Creation of sports and recreational opportunities;
• Trade activities such as facilities that enable direct sales of self-made
products.
* Projects which create additional employment within the farming household
* Projects which provide advice, guidance and information linked to the above
* Workshops, seminars, network events which help promote any of the above
projects
* A project which will create a specialist support network in support of Farm
Diversification in line with the above
Rural Heritage
There will be a combination of capital and revenue grants available to a maximum of
£6,000 each. Grant recipients will need to find 25% match funding. The Rural
Heritage fund is a resource for small scale projects to be taken forward by
stakeholder and community groups. Community led schemes will be supported
based on re-storing or conserving the natural or cultural heritage.
Examples of which :
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Projects which assist in the maintenance, restoration or upgrade of
rural heritage
Projects which support the legacy of the countryside, natural / physical
environment including buildings, historic places music dance and
language.
Projects which provide groups with advice, guidance and information
consultancy relating to the above themes.
Projects which provide an opportunity for people to establish a
business linked to the above.
In the case of repair and maintenance to church and chapel buildings the
panel encourage applications up to £2,000. The applicant is advised to
speak to the Rural Development Team to discuss individual projects at the
earliest opportunity.
Rural Tourism
There will be a combination of capital and revenue grants available. The maximum
grant available will be £7,500. Grant recipients will need to find 25% match funding.
Projects may include
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Innovative projects which assist with the marketing of tourism / rural
tourism initiatives
Signposting for tourism sites and or activity centres
Projects which assist in accessing natural areas for tourism purposes
Development / marketing rural tourism services
Demonstration events / projects to promote increase tourism numbers /
opportunities
Projects which provide / create new direct employment opportunities
(excluding project management and administration positions.)
Seasonal jobs should be re-created / available the following year
Village Renewal and Development
This scheme is a capital programme only (larger items of equipment, development of
physical structures etc). Maximum grants available will be £19,000 ) Grant recipients
will need to find 25% match funding.
Eligible projects will deliver physical improvements to the built environment in
villages across rural Conwy. Funding will be available for small scale
community led or community supported projects on the following themes:
• Boundary treatments such as fences, walls and gates;
• Enhancement of village assets;
• Signage and information boards;
• Street furniture such as seating, litter bins etc;
• Improvements to parks;
• Other environmental improvements;
• Improvements to community buildings to support integrated or enhanced
usage;
• Other non-statutory provision.
Grants awarded will be up to a maximum amount of £19,000 each and
recipients will need to find 25% match funding.
Grants panels meet at regular intervals throughout the year. Completed and signed
applications together with all documentation are to be returned to :
CVSC Rural Office
Capel Curig Community Centre
Capel Curig
Conwy
LL24 0EE
(Or e mail to : neilpringle@cvsc.org.uk
elafonwilliams@cvsc.org.uk
Further information, help and support is available by contacting :
Neil Pringle or Ela Fôn Williams :
Telephone : 01690 720446
Email : neilpringle@cvsc.org.uk
elafonwilliams@cvsc.org.uk