The sustainable management of natural resources is central to the Wales Rural Development Programme priorities. It recognises by strengthening local supply chains, fostering innovation, creating balanced territory approaches, maximises on sustainably managing our natural resources to increase overall resilience.
To support the Wales RDP to achieve its aims and objectives the Wales Rural Network (WRN) have held four Welsh Wool & textile themed events.
The aim has been to build on existing networks and build new partnerships to stimulate new ideas and encourage collaboration to develop and strengthen Welsh wool supply chains; adding value and reducing waste as a key feature.
The latest Wool & Textile Discussion Group was hosted on Microsoft Teams on the 24th November. More than 30 delegates attended, covering a broad spectrum of the supply chain. Further breakout discussion groups were held to discuss a Welsh wool vision, objectives and outcomes, and priorities for the group to focus on.
The current pandemic has shone a light on supply chains, the need to increase local resilience and safe guard precious resources. To support this, the Welsh Government is committed to supporting a Green Recovery in Wales which safeguards the environment and allows our rural economy to thrive.
The work of this group is important as it will highlight Welsh opportunities for investment including:
- Support and create further diversity to increase the resilience of the rural economy
- Support innovative approaches and collaboration
- Strengthen and develop local supply chains
- Service the shift in consumer habits towards local products and destinations
- Momentum to accelerate the transition towards a low carbon economy for rural communities
There are a number of opportunities that will be opening shortly which will be of relevance to Wool and Textile businesses, these are listed below:
Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme, aiming at Pilot Action for Green Growth & Circular Economy. This will support pilot actions to enable a whole supply-chain approach to be taken. Designed to add value to and embed the sense of place and cultural heritage of Wales through processing and marketing of non-food products.
The aim of the Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme is to provide support for public bodies, businesses, organisations or communities to develop cross-sector collaborative approaches with a range of stakeholders at the right scale to achieve multiple objectives and outcomes through “making new things happen”.
There is an available revenue and capital budget of £1,000,000, which will open between 17 January 2020 and 11 February 2021.
Rural Business Investment Scheme
For:
Farm businesses looking to diversify into non-agricultural activities; existing non-Agri businesses and new starts, aimed at strengthening the supply chain for ERA products and the creation and development of non-agricultural micro and small enterprises and diversification into non-Agricultural activities. A £1,000,000 capital funding pot is available to fund 40% of eligible costs. This window will be open between the 18th January and 22nd February 2021.
Dates for all Scheme Expression of Interest Windows can be found here:
The above are in addition to the following sources of support:
- Farming Connect
- Business Wales
- The LEADER Local Action Groups are also operating in the rural wards in 21 of 22 Local Authority areas. They can undertake pilot projects through the funding they hold. The contact details for the Local Action Groups can be found on the Wales Rural Network website