Questions and ANSWERS

It is important that a leader project creates development; in other words, it is not possible to receive leader support for ongoing operations or maintenance or already existing activities. For example, ongoing operating costs, costs for permits, fees, or costs related to installment purchases, leasing costs, replacement investments, own materials, or own machines.

We usually do not talk about a specific amount, but we base it on local needs and the benefits of what you want to do. If you have a smaller project that you want to apply for funding for, it is possible to apply for so-called micro support or smaller development vouchers. Contact us if you have questions about what you can apply for micro support for.

However, our board will always assess the requested amount in relation to how it contributes to our set goals and indicators. However, we always check in all projects whether the support is considered so-called state aid. This means when the public supports an economic activity with public funds and it results in the recipient gaining an advantage over other actors in the market. If it is considered state aid, it is limited to the recipient not receiving more than what the rules allow.

It depends; sometimes you may have a finished project idea that we can help coach, or you may only have a project proposal that you want to discuss to see if it can become a leader project. Contact us before you submit an application in the Agricultural Agency's system. Once you have received approval from us and submitted the application, the case will go to our board for a decision, which grants, denies, or refers the application back. After this, the application is sent to the Agricultural Agency for a formal decision. The time between our board's decision and the Agricultural Agency's formal decision can vary between 3–5 months. Costs can be incurred from the moment the application is submitted in the Agricultural Agency's system, but this is at your own risk before the formal authority decision is made.

By becoming a member of our association, you support rural development through the leader method. To be able to apply for project support from us, one needs to be a member of our non-profit association before we can forward the case to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Companies, associations, and organizations or public entities that are active in our area can become members; however, membership does not apply to private individuals. It costs 100 kronor per calendar year and can either be paid via bankgiro 789-9205, write in the message box your name and organization, or we can send an invoice. Email info@mittlandplus.se if you wish to receive an invoice.

All members can participate in our annual meeting and have the opportunity to elect our LAG board (LAG = local action group) that decides on incoming project matters.

A document that shows that you have paid out the money from the project owner's account and to whom the money has gone. It is usually available for download in your organization's internet bank.

There is an opportunity to apply for an advance of the support as soon as you have received the formal decision from the Swedish Board of Agriculture. This applies to everyone except municipalities and authorities. You can apply for 50 percent of the Swedish Board of Agriculture's support, but a maximum of 250,000 kronor. The application for support is made under My pages on the Swedish Board of Agriculture's website.

If you cannot complete a project before your end date, it is important that you notify us at the office. We can then make a change if the end date is altered and extend the project's end time. Contact us, and we will tell you more.

If you need to change activities, budget, or if something else changes, contact us first. If you report expenses or carry out activities that are not included in your support decision, it may lead to deductions; therefore, you must have these changes approved before the expenses can be eligible for support.

It is usually possible, for example, to move funds between cost categories, as long as it leads to the goals you have described and carrying out activities that are not included in the budget is usually okay, but ensure that with us first. Activities that you want to carry out but are not included in your decision usually require a change application in the Agricultural Agency's system.

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When you inform about your project, it is important that it is clear that the money comes from the EU. You do this by using the correct EU logo in your material, and it should always be visible and have a prominent place. If you do not include these logos on, for example, websites, informational materials, invitations, or in social media, it can in some cases lead to deductions. Specifically for social media, there are special requirements regarding usage. In your decision, it states what applies to your project, but in case of any doubt, contact us at the office and we will assist you. You can find the information on the Agricultural Agency's website (Money from the EU – use the EU logo – Jordbruksverket.se)

In a leader project, voluntary time is valued and aims to show that people choose to invest their free time to improve their local community. The voluntary time spent in the projects demonstrates a bottom-up perspective and local anchoring and is thus part of the leader method. It is not money that is paid out, but you still show in the application the value of the work you have put into the project.
For example, all voluntary time for an adult person is valued at 340 kronor per hour spent in the project, and you will need to report this time both in the application and in your final report.

When you report your time, show how you arrived at the value. If you have, for example, spent time on planning, construction, or events entirely voluntarily, you should report that. Voluntary time should not be reported in the budget you submit.

Most investment projects will at some point during the project period have a ”control on site.” This means that an inspector from the Agricultural Agency will personally come to the project's location to, among other things, see the investment, check that the support goes to what was applied for, and that you comply with the information obligation regarding the EU's structural and investment funds.

Control on site can occur when applying for payment or when a project has submitted its application for final payment. Inspections of investments can also be conducted up to 5 years after the investment has been completed.

If you follow your decision and have all signs in place, there is nothing to worry about regarding the control.