There will be a further round of Axis 1 (restructuring, development and innovation) and 3 (rural enterprise and rural communities) Rural Priorities funding in June 2012. A further round of Axis 2 (agri-environment) has previously been confirmed. A timetable can be accessed on the RPAC Dates page.
Awards for Axis 1 applications will be capped at £100k.
The Restructuring Agricultural Businesses option will be closed to new applications except for:
- projects from applicants who qualify for Young Farmers' Interest Rate Relief
- projects aimed at energy efficiency, with a cap of £50k on the Restructuring Agricultural Businesses Option
We are amending the current scoring system, though not fundamentally. The changes will take effect from the 2012 RPAC rounds. The scoring system will continue to operate under the existing 3 groups of assessment criteria, but will be refined under Group 2. The principal benefit will be a greater differentiation between the scores.
Scoring Changes
The details of the scoring changes being made are:
- Group 1 will remain unchanged;
- Group 2: for the additionality criterion, we will now ask whether the proposal would progress without RP support. Simply, there will only be a chance of being successful if there is a demonstrable need for the support;
- we will include a new assessment criterion called "qualitative contribution"; it will ask applicants to say how their proposal offers "a greater contribution to a regional priority by improving on the minimum standard";
- we will remove the assessment criterion for leverage potential. This is because for many cases currently it serves to reward those who can afford to contribute more, and there are thus questions about the value for money;
- 3 or 4 Highs, including additionality, will secure 5 points; and 2 Highs, including additionality, will secure 2 points;
The criteria are as follows: Additionality, Added Value, Long-term Benefit and Qualitative Contribution. Scoring for Group 2 is summarised in the table below:
Rating | Points | Qualifying Range |
Good Fit | 5 | 3 or more 'Highs' including Additionality |
Partial Fit | 2 | 2 'Highs' including Additionality |
Poor Fit | 0 | 0 - 3 'Highs' with no Additionality |
- Group 3 will remain unchanged.
The effect of these changes will see the introduction of a possible overall application score of 15, 17 and 19. This will help further in selecting the best projects.
The Assessment pages will be updated shortly.
Q & A
Q1 Is the Programme running out of money?
A1 There was only so much money in the pot in the first place. We are in the most challenging economic climate for many years and any amount of public funding that is available should be welcomed. Capital commitments were brought forward in 2010 and 2011 to support economic growth during the worst of the global financial crisis. With the current pressure on public funds across the board, we have to make absolutely sure that the money we have to support rural communities and businesses in Scotland goes as far as it can.
Q2 Why are you closing the Restructuring Agricultural Businesses option?
A2 This Option is not closed, however access to this funding is restricted. It is vital that we achieve maximum possible benefit for the remainder of the Programme. Funding for Axis 1 will now be targeted to concentrate on food processing, new entrants, renewable energy and climate change, including energy efficiency. Restructuring Agricultural Businesses will remain available for those who qualify for Young Farmers' Interest Rate Relief and projects aimed at energy efficiency.
Q3 What rate will apply to my Axis 1 application?
A3 If you submitted your Axis 1 application before 16 November 2011, it will be considered under the previous Axis 1 cap of £250k at the June 2012 RPAC, as long as it is subsequently committed by 5 April 2012. Awards for Axis 1 applications submitted after 16 November 2011 will be capped at £100,000. If the application is across more than one axis, the capped rate applies only to the Axis 1 element of the application.
Q4 Why has Axis 1 been singled out for a cap?
A4 Rural Priorities must deliver best value for the remainder of the Programme, and it's not sustainable to fund Axis 1 applications for more than £100,000. By putting a cap on funding now, we're spreading the money out and giving more projects a chance of success over the course of the Programme. Broad distribution of funding means a wider range of local suppliers and tertiary services will benefit.