Scottish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020: Evaluation of Capital Grant Schemes: Annex C - Fieldwork materials

Stakeholder engagement briefing note

About the evaluation: The Scottish Government has commissioned EKOS Ltd, an economic and social development consultancy, to undertake an evaluation of three capital grants schemes funded by the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020. The focus of the evaluation is on understanding lessons learned and the impact of the New Entrants Capital Grant Scheme, Small Farms Grant Scheme, and Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme. The evaluation will also provide recommendations to inform future grant schemes. The evaluation is due to complete by the end of May 2024 (note: subsequently extended to the end of July 2024).

Stakeholder engagement: As part of the primary research stage EKOS is undertaking interviews with a range of stakeholders internal and external to Scottish Government as part of the evaluation. This includes those who had a role in managing and/or delivering the grant schemes. This will involve asking for stakeholders’ views on the grant schemes (the ones stakeholders are familiar with), including on: the rationale for the schemes; application and assessment process; management and delivery; performance; benefits and impact; what worked well and less well; and lessons learned. The evaluation provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share their experiences, insights, and reflections on the grant schemes and lessons which could be applied to future grant schemes.

Consent: At the start of the interview the EKOS team member will ask you to confirm your agreement to take part in the study.

Participation is voluntary: Participation by stakeholders in this evaluation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time, and without giving a reason.

How the information you provide will be used and protected: Information provided will be captured by an EKOS team member in note form. All feedback captured during the interview process will be used for the purpose of this evaluation only. Information will be processed by EKOS and stored in compliance with current Data Protection legislation. Only the consultancy project team will have access to the information provided. EKOS will report to Scottish Government in aggregate form only - no information that could identify individual participants will be made available. All notes will be deleted on completion of the evaluation and confirmed by EKOS in an email to the Scottish Government.

How the evaluation report will be used: The findings of the evaluation will be used by the Scottish Government to report to funders about the impact of the grant schemes and to inform discussions on future grant support schemes. The final report and summary will be published by the Scottish Government.

Who can I contact: If you would like more information about the evaluation or would like to raise any issues or concerns, please contact [name], Senior Research Officer, Agriculture, Food & Drink Analysis (AFDA) Unit, Rural & Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS), [email].

Stakeholder Topic Guide

Notes for interviewer: Not all stakeholders will be able to comment on all three grant schemes and will have been involved in different ways and to different extents. Some questions may also be more relevant for some stakeholders than others. Also bear in mind that we will want to weave key messages from the stakeholder feedback through the individual chapters of the report aligned to each of the grant schemes (where possible). Capture feedback common across the grant schemes as well as unique points for a particular grant scheme. Use the guide flexibly and tailor appropriately. Interviewee should be sent the Information Sheet and Topic Guide in advance of the conversation.

Provide interviewee with overview of scope and timing of the evaluation. The focus of the evaluation is on understanding lessons learned and the impact of the New Entrants Capital Grant Scheme, Small Farms Grant Scheme, and Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme. The evaluation will provide recommendations to inform future grant schemes.

Make interviewee aware that the information they provide as part of this interview will be used for the purposes of this evaluation only and any notes will be deleted on completion of the research. EKOS will report to Scottish Government in aggregate form only - no information that could identify the interviewee as an individual or organisation will be made publicly available.

Are you happy to proceed with the interview? (consent)

• Yes
• No

Contact details

• Name
• Job title
• Organisation
• Date of interview
• Interviewer

Can you tell me about your role, and then more specifically about your organisation’s role and/or interest in relation to:

• Supporting a) rural development/economy; and b) supporting farming and agricultural businesses?
• The grant schemes that are subject to this evaluation (New Entrants Capital Grant Scheme, Small Farms Grant Scheme, and Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme)?

What is your understanding of the rationale for the development of the grant scheme(s)?

• What were the challenges faced by: a) farming/agricultural sector in rural Scotland, b) new entrants to the sector, c) existing small farm businesses, and/or d) existing crofting businesses?
• Were there challenges in the intended beneficiaries accessing capital funding from other sources?
• Were there any gaps in the market that the capital grant schemes helped to fill?
• To what extent do these issues and challenges persist today?

What is your understanding of the strategic fit of the grant schemes?

• How do they align with Scottish Government and wider rural economic development and farming/agricultural policy objectives?
• How do they complement other SRDP schemes?
• How do they fit with, and link to, the wider business support landscape in Scotland?

How were the grant scheme(s) advertised, and how effective was marketing and promotion?

• Was there strong awareness of the capital grant support among: a) those looking to start a new farming/agricultural business, b) among small farmers, and/or c) among crofters?
• What approach or approaches to advertising were most effective? Why?
• How can awareness be improved for future delivery?

Was there a strong pipeline of grant applications for the grant scheme(s)?

• In terms of the number and timing of applications?
• To what extent did the grant scheme(s) support or reach the right people/businesses (that is, the intended audience)?
• Did the grant scheme(s) support a diverse range of people/businesses? (for example, in terms of applicant demographics and characteristics)

What are your views on various aspects of the grant scheme(s), such as: (probe also for any issues or barriers):

• Where aims and objectives clear to applicants.
• Accessibility of the application process (for example, how to apply, application window, time to complete forms, time to gather required information, etc).
• Ease of the paper-based application process.
• Clarity of grant scheme guidance.
• Eligibility criteria.
• Appraisal process.
• Processing claims and the payment of grants.

Linked to question above - Do you have any suggestions for improvements and/or things that could have been done differently?

Were the grant schemes pitched at the right level (grant award size) and did they support the right kinds of project activities? Were there any needs that the grant scheme(s) did not meet?

How effective were the a) governance, b) management, c) delivery, and d) monitoring arrangements for the grant scheme(s)? What, if anything, could be changed or improved for future delivery? Note: ask about each sub-option separately.

To what extent did the grant scheme(s) achieve full expenditure against the budget allocation agreed at the outset?

• What factors were behind any a) reprofiling; and b) any under- or over-performance?
• Is there anything that could have been done differently by Scottish Government, area offices, and/or grant recipients to have maximised spend?

To what extent have the grant scheme(s) delivered against their aims, objectives, and targets?

• To what extent where the grant scheme rules were a barrier to achieving the intended aims?
• What has performance been like? (for example, outputs – intended and realised)
• How well, or otherwise, have the grant scheme(s) delivered on their intended output targets, etc?

What would you say have been the main benefits and impacts from accessing capital grant support for: a) new starts in the farming/agricultural sector; and among existing b) small farmers; and c) crofters? Probe for impact on the business such as productivity improvements, and wider benefits in relation to sustainable development, climate/biodiversity, business growth, community, equality of opportunity, industry collaboration.

In thinking about future grant support:

• What could replacement grant scheme(s) look like? What would success look like?
• Is there a continuing rationale for capital funding support?
• What is the rationale for revenue support only?
• What could be retained (strengths of the current grant scheme(s), what worked well)?
• What needs to change or be done differently (what worked less well with the grant scheme(s), areas for improvement, gaps in provision that could be addressed)?
• What have been the main learning points from the grant scheme(s)?

Do you have any suggestions for other stakeholders who could be consulted and/or potential project case studies?

Do you have any other comments you would like to feed into the evaluation or feel that we have not covered?