Minister Humphreys Announces Details of New €180m LEADER Programme
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced the details of the €180 million LEADER Programme for 2023-2027.
LEADER, a key intervention of Our Rural Future, is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally-led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of rural communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.
This major investment will support thousands of locally-led rural development and enterprise projects over the next 5 years. This allocation is in addition to the €70 million already provided for LEADER for 2021 and 2022, bringing the total allocation for the seven year LEADER programming period of 2021-2027 to €250 million.
The selection process will be conducted over two stages; the first stage is an ‘Expression of Interest’ by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies.
Interested parties will have until Friday 16 December 2022 to submit their Expression of Interest (Stage 1).
All groups that are successful in Stage 1 will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process.
A fund of €2 million has been ring-fenced for this purpose which will commence in early 2023.
As part of the new CAP Strategic Plan, funding of €180 million has been committed to LEADER for 2023-2027. The Minister also confirmed that all of this funding will be allocated to the Local Action Groups who are appointed to deliver the new programme.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Interested parties can now apply by visiting the department’s website and downloading an application form.
Completed Expressions of Interest forms must be submitted by email only to leader2327@drcd.gov.ie no later than 5.30pm on Friday 16 December 2022.
INFORMATION WEBINAR - 10 NOV
The Department of Rural and Community Development will host an information webinar for all interested parties on 10 November 2022.