Frequently Asked Questions: Local Food Grants

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Where’s the money coming from?

The money is coming from the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.

What is Changing Spaces?

Changing Spaces is the Big Lottery Fund’s programme to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. Local Food forms part of the Changing Spaces programme.

Who’s managing Local Food?

Local Food has been developed by a consortium of 15 organisations, and is managed on their behalf by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT).

What kind of projects will it fund?

We will be looking to support projects that fit under our five themes. Projects could include growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.

Who can apply?

Not for profit community groups and organisations in England.

Can Local Authorities apply?

Local Authorities are unable to apply directly to Local Food. However, they can be a formal partner in a bid with a community ‘not for profit’ organisation.

Can schools apply?

All types of schools can apply to Local Food directly if they can demonstrate additionality (that the proposed project includes initiatives outside of core funded activities) and meet Local Food’s criteria.

What other organisations can apply to Local Food?

Other types of organisations including Hospitals, Universities, Primary Care Trusts and Churches can apply to Local Food directly if they can demonstrate additionality (that the proposed project includes initiatives outside of core funded activities) and also meet Local Food’s criteria.

How much can I apply for?

Local Food will offer three levels of funding:

Small Grants - £2,000 to £10,000
Main Grants - £10,001 to £300,000
Beacon Grants - £300,001 to £500,000

Are there deadlines?

For the Small and Main grants there are no deadlines, it is a rolling programme, although all funded projects must be completed by March 2014.

All Beacon Grants will be assessed in a single competitive round. First Stage Applications for Beacon Grants need to be submitted before the end of June 2008 and Full Applications by the end of November 2008. The successful Beacon Grants will be announced in March 2009.

Is the process the same for all three levels of funding?

No, Small Grants has a far quicker turnaround time than Main and Beacon Grants. The forms and assessment will also be simpler.

Do I have to secure matchfunding?

Projects have to secure the following level of matchfunding depending on the total cost of the project.

Projects applying under the Small Grants Scheme do not require match funding.

Total Project Costs	Total Matchfunding Required (% of total project costs)
£10,001 to £20,000	No matchfunding required
£20,001 to £100,000	10%
£100,001 to £300,000	20%
£300,001 and over	30%

Of your total matchfunding; at least 50% has to be cash.

To help you calculate the amount of match funding required for your project, simply download the Match Funding Calculator below and enter your Total Project cost in the first column. The calculator will do the rest for you.

Local_Food_Match_funding_Calculator.xls (35 KB, August 28, 2008)

What costs can I apply for?

Both capital and revenue costs can be applied for under Local Food.

Can I claim for 100 per cent capital funding?

For projects that request a grant up to £300,000, a maximum of 80 per cent can be requested for capital costs. By capital costs this means all capital expenditure, not just land and building related costs. A minimum of 20 per cent of the grant requested must be for revenue costs.

For individual projects that request a grant from £300,001 - £500,000, there is no percentage limit on the capital grant requested. They can be 100 per cent grant funded.

Will Local Food fund land and buildings costs?

Yes, Local Food can fund Land and Building costs. However, please be aware you will be required to provide all the necessary documentation both prior to your project being assessed (i.e. options appraisal), and if your project is successful, all the necessary security documentation (i.e. certificate of title, planning permission).

How do I get a Full Application?

Only projects that are successful at First Application Stage will be invited to submit a Full Application.

For how long will Local Food run?

All funded projects must be completed by March 2014.

Will there be anyone to help me?

There will be advisers based around the country that will be on hand throughout the duration of your project. More details about this will appear here soon.

Where can I get an application pack from?