Unlocking the Digital Potential of the UK's Rural Areas - have your say!

Digital connectivity, mobile working, Skype meetings and e-commerce have become the norm for many businesses and are hugely important to their efficiency and productivity.

Rural England is undertaking research on Unlocking the Digital Potential of the UK's Rural Areas. This explores how rural-based businesses currently use digital (online IT and communications), how important it is to their business model, what constraints they face with digital uptake and what economic benefits could accrue if those constraints were overcome. Take the survey on the digital potential of rural UK  >

Responses will be accepted until Friday 1st September.

British Woodland Survey

The British Woodland Survey 2017 is your chance to have your say about the issues that matter to you with regards to trees and woodlands, whether it’s pests and pathogens, Brexit, climate change, societal attitudes or any other factor. This is the fourth in a series of important national surveys which contribute to the development of forestry policy and practice in the UK.

If you are a woodland owner or manager, farmer, land agent, professional forester or forestry/wood business, take part and help shape the future of forestry.

Have your say on Britain’s woodlands >

Survey background

The British Woodlands Survey (BWS) is a series of surveys undertaken to gather evidence about the nations' woodlands and those who care for them. BWS is co-ordinated by the Sylva Foundation with support from multiple partners across the forestry sector. Read the results of the last survey conducted in 2015 >

LEADER Programme funding

While you have rural on the mind, let us remind you of available grant funding for rural businesses in the Chilterns and Clay Vales (Aylesbury & rural Milton Keynes) through the LEADER Programme.

Grants are available between £5,000 and £50,000 for a range of projects. Take a look at the below examples of local businesses that have received a LEADER grant, and then get in touch with the team to see if your dream project can benefit from LEADER funding.

Farm diversification made possible with LEADER grant

A farmer with no previous catering or butchery experience was given the confidence to diversify thanks to a £16,000 grant from the LEADER Programme.

“The LEADER team were there every step of the way with me. It felt like they were on my side and wanted me to get the funding.” – Rob Pratt, Marbled Meats

Read more about this funding for rural businesses >

LEADER grant leads to job creation and business growth

A retail nursery in Aylesbury is expected to generate 20% growth and create at least six new jobs after building a tea room with the help of a £50,000 LEADER grant.

“The £50,000 grant helped make this project possible, while also reducing the risk to the business and ensuring our cash flow was not impacted.” – Neil Bowness, Hartwell Nurseries

Read more about this funding for rural businesses >

Rural grant funding leads to eco farm’s new cattery

The diversification plans of an eco farm in Buckinghamshire came to fruition after a £23,000 LEADER grant helped to build a cattery that will take the whole farm into profit.

“Very simply, without the LEADER grant this project would not have gone ahead and no jobs would have been created.” – James Dell, Abbotts View Farm

Read more about this funding for rural businesses >

Productivity growth for forester after grant support

A forestry business in South Oxfordshire has received a £10,000 LEADER grant to invest in a forwarding trailer to expand its operations.

The LEADER funding was critical to this project. Without it, the trailer would not have been purchased.” – Benjamin Manning, B.M.T.S. Forestry

Read more about this funding for rural businesses >

Rural grant funding

Contact the LEADER Programme team to find out more about rural grant funding available. Call 01494 927131 or send an online enquiry about rural grant funding.