€70m funding for rural communities and enterprises

Local groups across Ireland are to share in a €70m war chest to develop their local economy.

Local enterprises and communities groups across Ireland can apply for funding under the new €70m LEADER programme for 2021 and 2021.

The LEADER programme is envisaged as a key plan of Ireland’s rural future.

Some €65m will be allocated to support locally-led rural development projects across the 29 Local Action Groups or LAGs.

€3m will be allocated to encourage rural areas to work together on collaborative projects while the remaining €2m will be used to prepare for the next LEADER programme.

Our Rural Future

The funding comes in the wake of the Government revealing its ‘Our Rural Future’ policy for the development of rural Ireland.

“As I said at the launch Government alone does not have all the answers and there can be no one-size-fits all approach,” said the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD.

“Every town, village and parish is different and that means the people best placed to effect change in their communities are the people who live there.

“LEADER has always been about a ground up, community led approach and that’s why I am delighted to announce details of this new €70m fund today.”

The new programme is now open for applications and enterprises and communities are being encouraged to contact their Local Development Company.

Contact details for all Local Action Groups and Local Development Companies can be found here

By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)

Published: 9 April 2021