MONEY is being made available from a more than £2 million pot to boost job creation and business in the national park.

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust's LEADER programme plans to distribute £2.232 million over the next five years to rural projects benefitting Yorkshire Dales communities.

Funding is available for projects that are distinctive, innovative, involve partnership working, represent good value for money and have the potential to leave a lasting legacy.

Successful projects must bring economic benefits within three key areas - tourism development, farm diversification, and micro/small business projects.

Rima Berry, LEADER Co-ordinator in the Yorkshire Dales, said: “LEADER is a very competitive grants process, and we expect to receive applications for new and innovative projects that can really make a difference to the local community.

"Each project will be assessed, and funding will be awarded to those that make the greatest contribution to our local strategic objectives, and offer best value for money by creating new jobs and helping the rural economy to grow.”

There are two funding windows scheduled for 2016 with deadlines for outline applications on March 9 and July 25..

Anyone with a project idea should visit yorkshiredalesleader.co.uk in the first instance for details of each funding, information on how to apply, the Outline Application Form and guidance notes.

To discuss a potential application, please contact Rima Berry on 015242 51002 or email rima.berry@ydmt.org

The Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme has been set up to address the problems of ‘rurality’ within the Yorkshire Dales.