Collage Ltd.

General Eligible and Ineligible Activities and Items:

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The following provides an idea of the types of activities and items which maybe supported within a project. However other factors will be taken into consideration when assessing an application. Please note this is not an exhaustive list and are examples only:

Eligible Activities:

	The promotion of local products
	The promotion of traditional local skills
	The creation of business clusters
	Processing and marketing
	Manufacturing - especially crafts, food
	Waste management / Recycling / Renewable energy
	Water-based Activity and Environmental Tourism (See also funding available from the Dept. of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)

Examples of Eligible Items:

	Feasibility / Marketing / Business plans where appropriate
	Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions
	Capital Items including building works
	Landscaping, leasing equipment & professional fees
	Non mobile equipment
	Employment Grants

Examples of Ineligible Activities:

	Retail outlets
	Distribution Services
	Standard Agricultural Products
	Products related to Horticultural production (however these may be supported if shown to be innovative)
	Projects developed on a farm suitable for Peace and Reconciliations 1.7a Measure. (See Rural Enterprise Division’s - DARD for Details)

Examples of Ineligible Items:

	The purchase of motor vehicles
	Second hand equipment
	The purchase of buildings or land
	Own labour costs

Please note that all applications are made on a competitive basis.

Eligibility for Funding:
There are core criteria for the Leader+ programme and it is essential that applicants can demonstrate their ability to fulfil these:

1.	The project is within COLLAGE Ltd eligible areas (see map)
2.	The project relates to central themes of COLLAGE Ltd Business plan
3.	The project contributes to the objectives and performance targets of COLLAGE Ltd’s Business Plan
4.	The project cannot reach viability without additional external funding
5.	The total LEADER+ funding will not exceed 50% grant aid rate in the case of capital grant. Technical Support and Training may be supported up 100%
6.	The project is genuinely additional and will not cause displacement in the area
7.	The applicant does not currently employ more than 10 full time equivalent people
8.	The project has not commenced
9.	The project cannot be funded from another EU source
10.	The project does not have a potential negative environmental impact
11.	The project is private sector based
12.	The project cost will not exceed the £5,000 ceiling for a feasibility study

If the project is deemed eligible by fulfilling the above essential criteria, additional criteria will be used in scoring.

Additional Criteria:

a.	The project is innovative in the process/sector/area identified
b.	The project sustains/creates jobs
c.	The applicant can acquire the matched funding requested from a private source
d.	The project is sustainable – physically, socially, financially and environmentally
e.	The company can demonstrate a good track record and experience within their business area
f.	The applicant can demonstrate that they have or will acquire the appropriate skills to deliver the project
g.	The project targets priority groups in the COLLAGE Ltd Business plan
h.	Preference will be given to projects which will enhance local skill base
i.	The project has a positive environmental impact
j.	The project is transferable – i.e. can be used as a model of best practice

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