FRAMEWORK TO DELIVER BUSINESS SUPPORT AND SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE RURAL DEVELO

Descriptions

1.Introduction1.1Gwynedd Economic Partnership is currently implementing a series of seven projects under the first phase of the Rural Development Plan for Wales in Gwynedd. These are operated through four commercial contracts. The projects will come to an end between February and July 2011. 1.2Over the last year, whilst continuing to implement current projects, the Partnership have also developed applications to implement a series of new projects, to be undertaken during the second phase of the Rural Development Plan for Wales. 1.3It is anticipated that the first successful projects will be approved in December 2010/January 2011, but it is anticipated that projects will be awarded throughout the programme period. The work to which this Invitation to Tender and any resulting contracts refers will take place during the second and final “business planning period” of the Rural Development Plan for Wales, from March 2011 to December 2013.1.4In order to award contracts for work as efficiently as possible as and when projects are approved, Gwynedd Council, on behalf of Gwynedd Economic Partnership wish to establish three frameworks for the provision of services:1.Provision of Business Support and Supply Chain Development Services2.Provision of Community Support Services3.Provision of Community Tourism Support ServicesThis is an invitation to tender to become part of the first framwework only (Provision of Business Support and Supply Chain Development Services). Those wishing to become part of frameworks 2 and/or 3 must respond to the relevant separate invitations to tender.The information given below sets an outline of the projects which are currently being assessed by the Welsh Assembly Government, work resulting from which could be included within the series of contracts to be set within this framework:1. Support to enable Farming Households in Gwynedd to Diversify into Non-Agricultural Enterprise, Support to enable diversification and development of Rural Economic Activity in Gwynedd & Financial support for rural tourism enterprises willing to take a degree of risk in order to develop.The work aims to promote the diversification and development of rural economic activity in Gwynedd by supporting the establishment of new rural enterprises, giving particular emphasis to diversification from agricultural activities, tourism businesses and rural businesses more broadly, with a specific focus on micro enterprises. Support will be provided to establish and extend commercial and social enterprises through entrepreneurship within their current field of operation or new areas of operation by developing and delivering new services and/or products.Activities may include:-1.High level of engagement with farming households, farming communities, tourism enterprises, rural enterprises (including local non-food producers) and the wider rural community2.Provide specific and specialist business support 3.Mentoring4.Opportunity identification work5.Workshops to address issues and identify business ideas6.Responsibility for a bursary fund2. Support towards enterprise training and Information Provision in Rural Gwynedd This project will offer a wide range of training and information services to individuals and groups that are planning or operating enterprises in the county. It will cover two separate concepts – promoting and introducing the concept of enterprise to those who have never experienced it before, and assisting existing businesses to identify opportunities for growth. This is a precursor to actually establishing an enterprise, and is a catalyst for developing an entrepreneurial attitude. Providing this service to a wide range of people will lead to the development of an entrepreneurial spirit and wide horizons that will diversify the rural economy and encourage non agricultural business activities.Activities may include:-1. Facilitation of idea generation sessions / workshops / events2. Support to develop a venture idea3 Provision of a mentoring service 4. Provision of financial support to trial venture ideas3. The Innovative Development of Services by and for Gwynedd’s Rural CommunitiesTo improve the economic health and quality of life of Gwynedd's rural communities in a sustainable way. The work will give particular emphasis to the following three main areas: Renewable Energy, Information Technology and Transportation. Central to this will be actions to encourage communities to lessen their carbon footprint, whilst also encouraging individuals and groups to ensure sustainable use of assets in the community including under used buildings and developing new and pioneering methods to offer services.Activities may include:-1.Opportunity identification support2.Provision of financial and specialist support3.Facilitation of activities/events4. Developing Local Products and Supply ChainsSupport provision for local producers, to develop quality products and develop supply chains to reach both new and existing markets. There will be an emphasis on developing a full range of local “products” including energy, crafts, small scale manufacturing, food and non-food production etc, and on developing and trialling new methods of reaching the customer, including trialling both physical and virtual sales channels. Activities may include:-1.Facilitation of idea generation sessions / workshops / events2.Opportunity identification support3.Provision of financial and specialist support4.Facilitation of activities/events5.Supply chain development activities6.Marketing support