Welcome to the LEADER Programme

LEADER stands for Liasons Entre Actions de Development de L’economie Rurale/ Links between actions for the development of the rural community.

LEADER is part of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme, which is funded by the European Commission and will run from 2007-2013. It replaces the Leader+ programme that ran from 2000 to 2006.

LEADER is a mainstream part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and is funded through the European Commission with £41 million available for programmes across Scotland.

The programme is designed to bring about a grass roots form of local governance aimed at empowering rural communities to develop their own area using innovative approaches and co-operation. In order to achieve this, funding is to be awarded to Local Action Groups with partners from the public, private and third sectors to take decisions on projects which are community driven, have a wide community benefit and will lead to achieving some of the desired outcomes of the LEADER Programme.

Funding Round News - Application Submission Date Extended

Community Services & Facilities and Local Development Strategies to Kelvin Valley LEADER – Funding of £190,000

Grant applications for the Community Services and Facilities and Local Development Strategies strands of Rural Priorities will now be administered and co-ordinated by the Kelvin Valley LEADER LAG using the LEADER application process. 

The funding is aimed at constituted community groups in the Kelvin Valley.Potential project applicants are requested to look at the scope of both measures as well as the types of activities that can be funded. LEADER can fund up to 90% of project costs.

The deadline for first stage outline proposals to be submitted is Friday February 25th 2011 and these will be considered by the Kelvin Valley LEADER LAG. The first stage CSF Initial Enquiry Form is available from the co-ordination team or from the document library. 

Eligible projects will then be issued with a full application form with a deadline for these being submitted by March 31st 2011.  

For further information and to discuss project ideas the co-ordination team can be contacted for advice.

Leader Co-ordination Team

Paul Kane (North Lanarkshire)
Tel: 01698 302842
E-mail: kanepaul@northlan.gov.uk

Ellen Archibald (North Lanarkshire)

Tel: 01698 302446

E-mail: archibalde@northlan.gov.uk 

North Lanarkshire Council
Regeneration Services
3rd Floor, Civic Square, Windmillhill St, Motherwell, ML1 1AB

Frances Tonner (East Dunbartonshire)
Tel: 0141 578 8516
e-mail: frances.tonner@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

East Dunbartonshire Council

Economic Development, 2nd Floor William Patrick Library,

2-4 West High Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1AD

The measures are briefly summarised below:

Measure 321 Community Services and Facilities

Objective

To support and encourage thriving rural communities by helping them address local community needs.

Scope and actions

This measure will support the provision of or improvements to service and infrastructure provision to address particular local needs and circumstances that would otherwise fall outside mainstream delivery. This includes setting up rural community structures. Pre-condition on applications proposals must include:

Rural Constituted Community Group; Linkage to area strategy; Evidence of sustainability (for example plans and resources for continued use of village hall structure, sporting facility etc.); and consideration of proposals will be dependant upon demonstration of community need and of demand for the service or facility to be provided.

Type of services supported

Measure will allow promotion of local partnerships within the context of local Community Plans. Areas which the measure could cover:

Capital costs for rural community structures/ Outline planning permission / professional fees for capital works/ Pre-application evaluation/ Developed business/project plan/ Appropriate training.

Type of cost covered

Illustrative community projects may include:

Capital Works
Community facility renovation / new build/ Internet café facilities/ Sports equipment / facilities/ Catering accommodation / upgrade.

Non Capital Works
Feasibility studies / Project Management

Running/maintenance costs cannot be funded under this measure.

Measure 341 Collaborative Local Development Strategies 

Objective

To promote the acquisition of skills and provide animation activities to prepare and implement local development strategies at a sub-regional level.

Scope

Support the production of local development strategies by rural communities.  It aims to promote the acquisition of skills and provide animation activities to prepare and implement local development strategies at a sub-regional level.

Type of cost covered

Capital funding for research and consultancy/ Promotional work/ Information provision/ Implementation of strategy/ Preparing local development strategies