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The LEADER programme is a European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create jobs. The LEADER programme in County Wicklow is administered by the LCDC (Local Community Development Committee) lead LAG (Local Action Group). Decisions on LEADER funding are made by the Local Action Group (LAG), through the framework of a Local Development Strategy (LDS). The LAG is made up of representatives from the local community as well as from the local public and private sector. While final decisions on project funding rest with the LAG, the LEADER programme in Wicklow is being administered by Implementing Partner (County Wicklow Partnership) with Wicklow County Council as the financial partner.

2023 - 2027 LEADER Programme - Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan

The LEADER / Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan is currently underway and will run from 2023-2027.  The LEADER programme has been operating in Ireland and across EU Member States since its commencement in 1991 as an experimental rural development programme.  LEADER has evolved through 5 successive programming periods to become a key intervention within EU rural development policy.  It forms an integral part of the EU funding framework, delivered through national rural development programmes of each Member State.  Over the three decades of its existence, the programme has supported the development of a wide range of innovative and sustainable projects that have brought increased jobs and vibrancy to rural communities across the EU.

For the purposes of the LEADER programme in Ireland, rural areas are defined as all parts of Ireland with the exception of the areas within the boundaries of the five main cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.

LEADER is a community-led approach to local development funded through Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (the Programme).  It is financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and connected to Specific Objective 8 of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).  Objective 8 focuses on promoting growth and jobs in rural areas, developing the rural and bio-economies, digitising the rural economy, and promoting social inclusion.  While this Objecitve references forestry, it should be noted that forestry is listed as an ineligible activity for LEADER support in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan as agreed with the EU Commission.

 

PROGRAMME THEMES

Theme

Title

Sub Themes

1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION
  • The Green Economy
  • Agricultural Diversification
  • Rural Tourism & Recreation
  • Enterprise Development
  • Rural Food Production
  • Social, Community & Co-Operative Enterprises
  •  

2

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
  • Rural Infrastructure
  • Accessible Services
  • Optimising Digital Connectivity
  • Rural Youth

3

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTION
  • Sustainable Development of Rural Environment
  • Climate Change Capacity Building
  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adoption.

 

Expressions of Interest/Applications should be made to the County Wicklow Partnership, Avoca River House, Bridgewater Centre, Arklow, Co. Wicklow.  Calls under the “rolling” programme are currently being accepted by County Wicklow Partnership at present.  County Wicklow Partnership  will provide advice and support at a local level to groups and individuals seeking to develop projects.

County Wicklow Partnership is the implementing partner in Wicklow:

www.wicklowpartnership.ie

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/

https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_en

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