Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) aims to provide assistance to support development of more sustainable, diversified, enterprising rural economics and communities to assist their regeneration and adjustment to the changing role of agriculture. The scheme is open to farmers and a range of other rural businesses and rural communities but the financial beneficiaries of the grant aid must be non-public sector organisations. The scheme covers a very broad spectrum of potentially eligible activities, including:

• Setting up of farm relief and farm management services
• Marketing of quality agricultural products
• Basic services for the rural economy and population
• Renovation & development of villages and protection & conservation of the rural heritage
• Diversification of agricultural activites and activities close to agriculture to provide multiple activites or alternative incomes
• Agricultural water resources management
• Development & improvement of infrastructure connected with the development of agriculture
• Encouragement for tourist and craft activites
• Protection of the environment in connection with agriculture, forestry & landscape conservation as well as with the improvement of animal welfare.

The level of grant aid ranges between 15-100% depending on the extent of any commercial return from a project.

If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Giles Chaplin or Catherine Davies at our Knaresborough office on 01423 860322.