Business Development Groups. Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 Business Development Groups Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are Business Development Groups? Knowledge transfer through Business Development Groups is a new scheme funded through Pillar II of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme The scheme will use a group approach to improve the technical efficiency of farm businesses and will also offer participants the opportunity to gain a level 3 qualification. The groups will be known as Business Development Groups (BDG). 2. Why do I need to be involved in a BDG? Farmers participating in the scheme will benchmark their business to identify areas that have the potential to be improved. A business development plan will be created to identify the actions to be taken to improve the technical efficiency of the business and improve the sustainability of the farm. 3. Will being a member of a BDG affect my Single Farm Payment? No, there is no link from BDG to single farm payments. 4. What will be expected of me as a member of a BDG? Farmers that participate in the programme will have to maintain an active business development plan, benchmark their business, attend training events, and be willing to share benchmarking information with other group members and be willing to host a group training event on their farm. 5. How do I apply to join a BDG? Applications can be submitted online, electronically by or by a paper version sent by post. Applications cannot be accepted by fax due to the ongoing removal of fax machines in DARD offices. The scheme will open for applications on the 9 November 2015 at am. For information about the applications access the BDGs web page on the CAFRE website Access will be available to an online application facility through the BDGs web page on the CAFRE website ( for those potential applicants wishing to submit an application online. A copy of the Application Form Guidance Notes and Notes for Farmers will also be available to potential applicants on this online application facility.

2 A paper version of the application form can also be requested by ing or by calling Development Service Administration on Alternatively, applications can be requested in writing to CAFRE Development Service Administration, Greenmount Campus, 45 Tirgracy Road, Antrim, BT41 4PS. 6. When can I apply? The scheme will open for applications on 9 November 2015 at am and close for application on 14 December 2015 at 4.00 pm. 7. When will the first training events take place? It is proposed to form the first groups and start to deliver the scheme in early Where will the training be held? Training events will be held on host farms and local community halls. All participants should be willing to host a training event during the life of the scheme. There may also be larger scale training events which could be held at CAFRE venues. 9. Will I receive funding to attend a BDG? The programme will meet costs incurred by the farmer eligible claims will include replacement labour while they are attending training events, travel to and from training events and initial costs associated with analytical services. Where farmers attend all eight training events they will qualify for a payment of up to 490 per year. This payment is planned for the first two years of the programme and will then be reviewed. An allowance of up to 600 per visit for hosting a training event will also be payable, however this payment will be available to farmers throughout the lifetime of the scheme 10. Is there a charge for the training? There is no fee payable for this training. 11. Can more than one person from the same business apply for the scheme? Yes, on the provision they meet the rules of the scheme and are attending a discussion group for a different discipline. A valid DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number is required at the time of application as part of the application process which must be matched to Departmental records. 12. Will I obtain a qualification? As participants work to improve the efficiency of their businesses, they will generate information e.g. farm development plan, grass measurements, growth rates, that can be used as evidence which will build up as credits towards a level 3 qualification. It is too early to say how long it will take to build up enough credits to gain the qualification. Further details about the level 3 qualification will

3 be provided following successful selection to the scheme. Those participants who wish to gain the qualification will need to pay a registration fee to the awarding body. 13. What support will be available to me if I do not apply for, or my application is unsuccessful? CAFRE Development Service advisory staff will focus their work on BDGs.. General advice will be available to those not in a BDG through the Farm Advisory Service (FAS). 14. Why should I be in a BDG? The following points outline the benefits of participating in BDGs. A clear development plan for your business. Improve your profitability. Keep up to date with the latest technologies. Access to a CAFRE Development Adviser. Option to gain a qualification. Meet with like-minded individuals. 15. Do I need to submit supporting documentation? No. However, in the event of over-subscription within the same sector, selection scores will be taken into consideration. Supporting documentation, if submitted, will be evidence to satisfy the selection criteria and may attract an increase score where selection criterion needs to be applied. 16. Can I still make an application without any supporting documentation? Yes. You can achieve 10 marks by completing your application online. If you chose not to complete the application online then your application will still be considered however it will not attract any additional marks. If sectors are oversubscribed the score attached to you application will be used as part of the selection process. 17. Why is my application scored? Selection scores will be taken into consideration in the event of over-subscription within the same sector. The selection criteria can be viewed in the Notes for Farmers. 18. Can I submit supporting information separate from my online application? Yes, you can submit supporting documentation in hard copy to CAFRE Development Service Administration, Greenmount Campus, 45 Tirgracy Road,

4 ANTRIM, BT41 4PS or electronically by ing Those participants who do not upload supporting documents and choose to forward these documents by post or will not be awarded the marks associated with completing an online application. Applicants must provide the application reference number on each supporting document if they have applied on-line. Any supporting documentation must arrive before the closing date/time. 19. How do I know what supporting documentation is required? Details of valid supporting information can be found within the application form guidance notes available online through the BDGs web page on the CAFRE website. 20. What age do I have to be to apply for the scheme? Applicants and the nominated group member must be 18 years or over at the time of application. 21. Can I be a member of a BDG if I have a disability or learning need? Yes, reasonable adjustments can be implemented prior to commencing group meetings. You will receive an opportunity to declare any disability or learning need prior to the first meeting of your group. 22. How will I know my application has been successful? Applicants (Farm business owner) will be notified of an outcome within 8 weeks of the application closing date. 23. Can I appeal if my application is deemed invalid? Applicants can appeal in writing. Appeals must be received within 14 days of the date of the letter notifying the applicant of the grounds for an invalid application. Further details about the review of decision procedure will be made available. 24. Why would my application be deemed invalid? Applications could be deemed invalid due to the following: Applications received after 4pm on the closing date. Farm Business Category 1 ID and Farm Business ID owner named do not match Departmental records. Applicant and/or nominated group member is under 18 at time of application. Applicants with a relevant criminal conviction may not be able to proceed.

5 25. What is a relevant criminal conviction? A relevant criminal conviction includes a fraud conviction related to a previous Rural Development Programme (RDP). 26. What if I have forgotten my username and password? There is a link on the online application if you have forgotten your password. If you do not know your username it is best to start again by re-registering. 27. What if I don t have a DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number? If you are a new farm business you must have first obtained a DARD Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number before an application can be made. If you have not already done so you should contact your local DARD office as soon as possible to obtain advice and the New Farm Business (FB1) application form or access the guidance at and the form at CAFRE cannot accept any responsibility if a Category 1 Farm Business Identification Number is not issued before the closing date for applications. 28. I have not received a letter stating the outcome of my application to the Young Farmer / New Entrant scheme; what should I do? If you have not yet received a letter from the Young Farmer / New Entrant scheme then please select yes to the related question. 29. Is being a member of the BDG scheme linked to future Rural Development Programme schemes? A farm business does not need to be part of a BDG to apply for future Rural Development Programme schemes.