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LEADER programme: Local groups invited to apply for new €180 million rural fund
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
• Fresh funding of €180 million available to support rural communities and enterprises.
• Total allocation for LEADER programming period of 2021-2027 climbs to €250 million.
Local groups are being invited to apply for the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, which has allocated €180 million to support rural areas.
The major investment will support thousands of locally-led rural development and enterprise projects over the next 5 years.
The allocation is in addition to €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.
All of this funding will be allocated to the Local Action Groups who are appointed to deliver the new programme.
A 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.
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.
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.
A list of 2023-2027 LEADER funding allocations by county is available here .