The Application window will open on 4 November 2024 and close on 10 January 2025.

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The Small Grants – Horticulture Start Up Scheme is designed to support entry into the horticulture sector in Wales by encouraging the establishment of new commercial horticulture enterprises, either as a diversification within an existing agricultural business, or as stand-alone new enterprises.

 

The application process for Small Grants - Horticulture Start Up Scheme is in two stages. Firstly, an Expression of Interest (Eol), if the Eol is selected you will need to complete a full application.

 

The indicative budget allocation for this application window is £100,000. The grant available for each applicant is £3,000.

 

Funding will encourage the use of new and emerging technology, provide opportunities to create a diversified income stream for existing Welsh farm businesses, establish new rural enterprises and create employment opportunities.

 

The Small Grant - Horticulture Start Up is available to individuals or businesses who wish to enter the commercial horticultural sector. The aims of the scheme are to:

 

• encourage the establishment of new commercial horticultural enterprises by offering seed funding in the form of a grant.

• partially mitigate the financial risk of investing in a new enterprise.

• attract more individuals to enter the sector.

• encourage the use of new and emerging technology within horticultural businesses.

• create a diversified income stream for existing Welsh farm businesses.

• establish new rural enterprises, which can create employment, opportunities for growth and sustainable local food production.

• respond to the Wales Community Food Strategy and encourage the supply of locally sourced food in Wales.

 

Applicants if selected following EoI will need to demonstrate at full application their projects are viable proposals with the potential to develop into sustainable enterprises.

 

Eligible Costs

The start-up grant is awarded in the form of working capital, which is provided to facilitate the establishment of a commercial horticulture enterprise. The grant can be used to fund capital investments, or as revenue support to fund the following examples of expenditure:

 

• purchase of specific equipment and technology for horticultural production.

• seed, plants etc.

• harvesting and storage systems.

• branding, social media content or website development.

• marketing and/or advertising costs.

• environmental monitoring or quality control equipment.

• rental costs.

• contracting costs.

 

Second hand equipment is eligible where the applicant can demonstrate the following:

 

• it complies with current health and safety legislation;

• it is fit for purpose;

• it has at least five years life expectancy remaining.

 

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For more information or help with your application contact:

Kathryn Williams – 07971 583 638

kathrynwilliams@dmpcuk.com