Guidelines

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GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

Who is eligible to apply?

The Lough Neagh Strategic Fund is open to the public, private, community and voluntary sectors. Proposals with an economic focus, and those that address the needs and opportunities of youth, long-term unemployed, farmers and farm families, and women are particularly welcome.

Eligible Areas

We would wish to consider projects which are located in the Lough Neagh Wetlands area and/or be likely to have a positive impact on the area. We will only consider environmental projects from the Lough Beg area.

The map below is an approximate guide to the Lough Neagh wetlands area

Eligibility Checklist

Only eligible projects will be invited to apply for financial assistance under the initiative. The following general eligibility criteria will apply to all applicants to the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund (LNSF).

	The project must be located in the Lough Neagh Wetlands area and/or be likely to have a positive impact on the area.
	The project must meet an identified and demonstrable need.
	At least 5% of project costs are carried by the applicant.
	The project must demonstrate that it meets the aim/aims of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund.
	The project must be delivered within the lifetime of the programme.
	The project must not have already commenced.
	The project must be delivered within 2 years or as determined by the letter of offer.
	The grant requested must be within the funding levels available.
	The project must prove that grant aid is necessary to allow the project to proceed.
	The project must be in line with State Aid Regulations.
	The project must meet basic EAGGF eligibility criteria. (Eligibility conditions as laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1145/2003 of 27 June 2003).

We will not fund

	Stand alone technical assistance.
	Revenue shortfall of existing activity.
	Retrospective funding.
	Projects where other EU programmes or measures would fund the proposed activity.
	Costs that relate to statutory or legal responsibilities.
	Projects that create economic displacement.
	Projects that have negative environmental impacts.

If your project meets the eligibility criteria it will be taken forward for assessment. If it is considered ineligible you will be contacted by the Lough Neagh Partnership (LNP) to explain the reason for this decision and who may be able to advise on alternative funding opportunities elsewhere.

Please note: Filling in an application does not guarantee an offer of funding.

Environmental Assessments required

As the Lough Neagh Wetlands includes several Natura 2000 sites and other sites of nature conservation interest, you may be required to undertake an appropriate environmental assessment before any decision can be made on the application and potential funding. Additional requirements may arise due to specific environmental designation.

Limited Funds available

The funds available are limited and we do not expect to be able to fund all applications. Private and public sectors applications may be funded up to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs only. Community and voluntary sector applications may be funded up to a maximum of 75% eligible costs. Refer to specific projects for funding limits. All applicants must contribute at least 5% to the project costs.

Match Funding

You cannot match fund the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund grant with any other EU grant, therefore the rest of your project money must be raised from other non-EU sources. Application for funding is a competitive process.

Project Assessment

Projects will be assessed as to whether they are consistent with the principles of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme and the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund Action Plan. All projects will be assessed and scored by an assessment panel using pre-set criteria. Projects that meet the agreed Lough Neagh Partnership threshold will be ranked by score and prioritised.

Criteria for Assessment

Projects will be assessed on how they contribute to the overall aims of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme in addition to specific criteria for the assessment of applicants to the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund.

Horizontal principles of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme (BSP)

Projects will be assessed on how they address the horizontal principles of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme as follows:

	Economic & Social Sustainability – All projects will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate long term sustainability beyond the funding period.
	New Targeting Social Need/Impact on Poverty – Projects will be assessed on how they contribute to the targeting of social need on an individual, group or area basis.
	Equality and Equal Opportunities Considerations – Projects will be assessed on their contribution to the promotion of equality amongst those groups identified under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
	Environmental Sustainability – Projects will be assessed on how they contribute to the protection and enhancement of the environment. Projects should have a positive environmental impact overall.
	Publicity and transparency – Projects will be assessed on their publicity and transparency strategy.

Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme Specific Criteria

Projects will also be assessed against criteria specific for the implementation of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme as follows:

	Need - Degree to which need for the project is identified and addressed.
	Measurable objectives, targets and indicators - What system is there to measure performance?
	Financial Planning – The project should show realistic planning including arrangements for appropriate co-funding.
	Degree of Innovation and Originality - Does the project introduce new, better products or services and promote these?
	Benefit - How does the project benefit the wider rural community?
	Private contribution – Level of private match funding provided versus level of grant sought.
	Applicant ability – The capacity to deliver the project in time.
	Monitoring and evaluation – Methodology, responsibilities and time frame set out for monitoring and evaluation.

Lough Neagh Strategic Fund Specific Criteria

Projects will also be assessed against criteria specific to the implementation of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund as follows:

	Strategic Aims – To what extent and how does the project contribute to the overall aims of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund?
	Specific Aim - To what extent and how does the project contribute to the aim of the specific theme applied to?
	Environmental Impact - To what extent and how does the project impact on the environment?

Payment Process

Payment will only proceed once it has been authorised by the Rural Development Division and the Lough Neagh Partnership has confirmed that all relevant documentation has been submitted and checked.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Each project must maintain accurate and verifiable information for assessment purposes. Detailed information relating to full-time and temporary jobs created, financial records, etc, must be recorded and maintained. A Post Project Evaluation (PPE) must be carried out after the completion of a project.

Publicity

All funded projects will be required to co-operate fully with the Lough Neagh Partnership regarding any publicity or public relations associated with the delivery of the Lough Neagh Strategic Fund.

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