Happy New Year from Oxfordshire LEADER. We're very much open for business with confirmation from the government that funding is guaranteed until Britain leaves the EU.

We're looking for projects that will benefit the rural economy by growing businesses, creating jobs and bringing more people to the area. Visit our website to find out if you can apply www.oxfordshireleader.org.uk  

Oxfordshire Environmental Charity Awarded Grant

Sylva Foundation has been awarded a LEADER grant to build a forestry yard. The charity works across Britain to care for forests, ensuring they thrive for people and for nature. The new forestry yard will:

• create premises for a forestry contractor to expand their business and create employment
• increase turnover 
• shorten the wood supply chain by enabling wood to be processed at the Wood Centre site

You can see more information about their work here: Sylva Foundation Website 

Business Cluster Gusto

Speakers at the recent Institute of Economic Development (IED) Conference talked about the economic benefits of creating opportunities for small businesses to work side by side, preferably from the same sector.

These 'hubs', 'innovation centres', 'clusters'- as they are known - offer small businesses a chance to share resources and to collaborate which is great for business. Some rural examples in Oxfordshire include the Sylva Foundation mentioned above. Their Wood Centre rents out units to small businesses that work with wood. 

If you have a capital project that will support the growth of businesses in a rural setting then you might be eligible for LEADER funding.

Other funding and events

Oxfordshire Business Support (OBS) Workshops
OBS offers business support to encourage start-ups, growth and innovation. These schemes are a range of workshops and seminars offered to eligible businesses and start-ups in Oxfordshire. Find out more on the OBS website.

Power to Change Grants for Community Businesses
Power to Change awards grants to help new and existing community businesses grow and become more sustainable. To find out more visit the Power to Change website.

If you have a project that will boost the local economy, create jobs and fits in to one of our four local themes you may be eligible for a grant. See our website for more details or contact us on 01235 422245 or at oxfordshire.leader@southandvale.gov.uk.