If you are the owner of a small business, with less than 10 employees, you might be eligible to receive grant matched funding for a project that you are planning to undertake. The programme is being run by East Herts Council and managed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Funding is being provided by the EU and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Eastern Plateau has £2.5 million to invest in local farm businesses, micro enterprises, tourism and community service providers from now until December 2013.

Priority will be given to projects that:

Reduce both their carbon footprint and their impact on the environment by adopting environmental friendly practices

Enable farm diversification and address issues of sustainability and innovation

Encourage the creation and development of micro enterprises

Increase and encourage rural tourism activities

Demonstrate a commitment to training and developing people

Add value to agricultural and forestry products

For more information with regard to the above please contact Michael Veasey. Email michaelveasey@easternplateau.org.uk. Tel: 0770 350676