frequently asked questions
Here we have gathered frequently asked questions and answers about applying for project support with us.
Frequently asked questions and answers
When can I submit an application?
We accept applications on an ongoing basis. Your application needs to be submitted in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's e-service at least one month before the board's decision meeting. These decision meetings take place continuously throughout the year.
Always contact us at the Leader office before you submit an application. We coach and help you!
For our small quick supports, which we call Sprint, there are specific application periods. You apply for these supports via an application form that you email directly to us at the Leader office. You can find ongoing calls under Apply – Sprint.
How much support can we be granted?
When you apply for support with us, we look at how public-benefit the project is. Public benefit means that the project, for example, benefits a broader public, an area, or an industry. Projects that are assessed to be public-benefit can be granted a support level from 40 up to 100 percent of the requested amount. Simply put, the more public-benefit the project is, the higher support level you can be granted.
About the project not assessed to be public-benefit, but the benefit instead accrues to one or a few actors, it concerns a support level of between 40 to 70 percent. Such support is called Project support for businesses and the maximum amount is 200,000 SEK.
Is there a need for voluntary time / private financing in the project?
You can apply for support for up to 100% of the expenses, but we always want there to be a personal contribution in the project. The personal contribution can be in the form of voluntary time or money. Voluntary time thus functions as a kind of co-financing, but can also be seen as a measure of local engagement. Our benchmark is that at least 30% of the project's value consists of personal contribution.
Simply put, you can expect that you need to contribute a personal contribution that corresponds to 50% of the requested support amount.
An example calculation
The expenses total 100,000 SEK and you are applying for 100% support
50% of 100,000 SEK = 50,000 SEK
Voluntary time has a value of 340 SEK/h
50,000 SEK / 340 SEK/h = 147 hours
In this example, you therefore need to contribute 147 hours of voluntary time.
Co-financing in project support to companies?
How much support can I apply for?
You can apply for support for up to 50 % of the project's eligible expenses.
This means that you need to finance the remaining 50 % with your own money. The personal contribution is thus the part of the project budget that you pay yourself.
Example calculation
If the project's total eligible expenses are 80,000 SEK, you can apply for support for 50 %.
50 % of 80,000 SEK = 40,000 SEK
In this example, you can therefore apply for 40,000 SEK in support.
You need to finance the remaining 40,000 SEK yourself.
Total project budget: 80,000 SEK
Support from Leader: 40,000 SEK
Own contribution: 40,000 SEK
How long does it take before we receive a decision?
It is our board that makes decisions about your application. Board meetings are held continuously throughout the year, current dates can be found in our calendar. One month before the board meeting, we need to have received a complete application so that we at the office can process it and request any necessary supplements. If the board chooses to prioritize your application, we at the office will complete the processing and forward the application to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. The Swedish Board of Agriculture then makes the final decision. The waiting time for the final decision can be up to 6 months.
When will I receive payment of the support?
When the project has expenses for completed activities, you can apply for a partial payment. The expenses must be paid and recorded before you apply for a partial payment.
You can apply for partial payment several times during the project period. For example, you can apply every quarter or after a period when you have had many or large expenses.
You may apply for payment for expenses that have arisen from the date your ”Application for support” was submitted to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Important to have the correct logos during the project
In practice, this means that the EU logo, which consists of the EU flag together with text must be included in the material.
What applies to your project is stated in your decision, so read it carefully. The Swedish Board of Agriculture can make deductions or reclaim the support if you do not meet the information requirements.
The logos are available for download at The Swedish Board of Agriculture's website.