Seek support for projects
Here you will find information on how to apply for support through LEADER for your local development project.
If you have tested your idea and received feedback from the leader office that it matches the strategy, you can start your application.
If not, we ask you to start by testing your idea.
Applying for support, step by step
At Leader Northwestern Skaraborg, you can apply for support for larger implementation projects or for smaller projects, so-called sub-activities within our local umbrella projects.
Important information and conditions you need to know before applying for support
You are responsible for content, implementation and reporting.
Below is information about what is good to know regarding an application for support within locally led development through LEADER.
Important information about support for projects and collaborations can also be found at The Swedish Board of Agriculture website. It is in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's system that you apply for support and payment, and it is the authority that makes the formal decision.
get help from the leader office
We coach and provide feedback
Before you begin formulating your application for support, you should have received feedback from the Leader office that your idea matches the strategy and that it is appropriate to make an application for support.
Participate in a project workshop
When you have had a dialogue with the Leader office about your idea, and it is time to write an application, we offer you to take part in a project workshop. We will go over what to consider when designing your project, how to make your application for support in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's system and how the project is assessed by our board.
Once you have been in contact with the leader office, you will receive an invitation to the project workshop via email.
Who can apply?
You as a beneficiary
The person who applies for and is granted support is called a support recipient and this can be virtually any organization.
For example;
- Associations
- Business
- Municipalities
- Foundations
Private individuals cannot apply for support.
To apply for support from the Swedish Board of Agriculture, a power of attorney is required to represent the applicant organization.
Who can apply for umbrella support?
Depending on which applicant organization is applying for a sub-activity within an umbrella project, documentation proving the signatory may be required.
Support level & co-financing
This is how much you can search
A leader project requires some administration. We therefore do not recommend that you apply less than SEK 100,000. There is no general ceiling on how much you can apply for. It is the needs, goal achievement (expected result) and co-financing that can determine your project's budget.
Public benefit project
- Projects that are deemed to be a public benefit project can be granted 100% in support level.
- Co-financed with 30% non-profit work or private funds.
- The value of goal achievement should correspond to the scope of the budget.
Project support for companies
- For project support to companies, the maximum amount is SEK 200,000 and applies to projects that mainly benefit one or a few companies.
- Support level 50%.
- Co-financed with 50% private funds.
- The value of goal achievement should correspond to the scope of the budget.
Support level within our umbrellas
Smart villages
Support amount 40,000 SEK, 100% support level, 30% non-profit work
Driven entrepreneurship
Support amount 40,000 SEK, 70% support level, 30% private funds
Selection criteria & assessment criteria
Your idea matches our strategy
Your project idea should match our strategy and at least one of our three target areas: Smart rural areas, Driven entrepreneurship and Circular flows.
The project must align with at least one of our four focus areas and provide results that create goal fulfillment for our strategy.
In your application, you must choose ONE of these areas of focus and state the expected results that will form the basis for the board's assessment of whether goal achievement is acceptable in relation to the amount of support you are applying for.
- Local collaboration
- Viable companies and innovators
- Sustainable solutions
- Cooperation around the lakes
Linked to our areas of focus are selection criteria, which are the board's scoring system and determine whether your project is granted support. The basic conditions are crucial and must be met for scoring to occur.
Application period, processing and decision
Decisions and waiting times
The amount of time a project needs to be developed before it is ready to be an application varies. It depends on how well-established your idea is and how complete your project plan and budget are when you contact the Leader office.
The processing time also depends on how complete your application is. Your project application must have been processed by the Leader office before it can be assessed by our board.
The Leader Office determines whether your application is complete enough to be prepared by the working committee based on processing procedures carried out by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
The Working Committee prepares your project application and determines whether it can be assessed by the board. They provide feedback on additions and their scope determines when it is relevant for decisions at the board meeting.
Board of Directors has meetings once a quarter. You will have the opportunity to present your project and then a decision will be made on approval (prioritization) or rejection. If your application is prioritized, further processing by leader offices awaits, followed by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
NOTE! If your application is complete and assessable, you will be invited to attend a board meeting to present your project.
Swedish Board of Agriculture is the authority that makes the formal decision. It can take up to 10-12 months before they handle your case.
Project plan and budget
Write your application in the e-service
Once you have received your authorization, it is time to start the application in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's e-service.
Find the right e-service
Go into www.jordbruksverket.se and Log in to My Pages with Bank-ID. Select the organization you will represent and write your application. Please note that you should only select "Myself" if you are a company. If you don't see the organization you represent, the authorization hasn't yet been successful.
For your application to be complete, you need:
- A detailed budget with costs that are reasonable to achieve the goals of your project.
Also attach quotes and other cost documents that verify the budget items. - A certificate of liquidity showing that you have sufficient finances to carry out the intervention. for example, a bank statement, balance sheet or loan promise. This is needed because the support is only paid out once you have incurred the costs.
- A reasonable end date which enables the implementation of all planned activities and an estimated closing phase for final reporting of three months. Also keep in mind that it can take up to 12 months to receive a decision on support from the Swedish Board of Agriculture after the board has prioritized your project.
Your local leader office will receive the application once you have submitted it.
When you press the "Review and submit" button, the application will be sent to us at the leader office.
make sure you have the right conditions
Pilot study
Sometimes a feasibility study may be needed before a larger initiative. This may involve anchoring the idea in order to find partners, more financiers or to build up a factual basis for the project activities. In such cases, it is possible to seek support for a feasibility study.
Credibility, anchoring and drive
The projects that are granted support usually always have a credibility that signals that research, knowledge and experience exist. An anchoring that shows that there is a need and people who want this and can describe why it is needed and what difference the project will make. A drive that shows that this will be carried out with faith, desire and commitment.
These values give decision-makers the courage to believe in ideas. Both those that are reminiscent of other projects and those that stand out and dare to think differently.
Don't come alone.
If it's time for a presentation at a board meeting, don't come alone - show that there is commitment and that there are more people behind the idea and are willing to get involved in your project. If they are not able to attend in person, perhaps it is possible to prepare a short film?