28 Oct Rural Communities and Enterprises in Mayo to received €8.8m funding under LEADER Programme
Deputy Alan Dillon has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD that rural communities and enterprises in Mayo will receive a total of €8.8m in LEADER funding over the next five years.
Fine Gael Deputy Dillon said the major investment will support thousands of locally-led rural development and enterprise projects. This allocation is in addition to the €70m 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 first of two stages of the process has now been opened by Minister Humphreys. The first is an ‘Expression of Interest’ by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies.
Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said: “The LEADER Programme has been integral to delivering locally-led projects that have brough tmajor benefits to communities across Rural Ireland.
“LEADER operates on a ground-up approach and is all about empowering local communities to deliver projects that will revitalise our towns and villages.”
Deputy Dillon said he is encouraging Mayo groups to submit their ‘expression of interest’ by December 16 next.
“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.
“The process will be open, transparent and competitive and I am encouraging groups in the private and public sector to work together to achieve the best possible results,” concluded Deputy Dillon.
Interested parties can now apply by visiting the Department’s website and downloading an application form via the following link
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/
Completed Expressions of Interest forms must be submitted by email only to leader2327@drcd.gov.ie no later than 5.30pm on Friday 16th December 2022.
The Department of Rural and Community Development will host an information webinar for all interested parties on 10th November 2022. Registration for this event is open at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/selection-process-of-local-action-groups-lags-to-deliver-leader-2023-2027-tickets-450388322597