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.
Kelvin Valley LEADER Programme - Last Call for Projects!
The Kelvin Valley LEADER Programme is part of the Scotland Rural Development
Programme 2007-2013, aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas.
The Programme is issuing a final call for applications to allocate its remaining funding. The deadline for applications is 6 July 2012 with decisions on applications being made by 10 August 2012.
The programme has already successfully contributed to 33 projects across the Kelvin Valley and aims to leave a lasting legacy in the area.
If your organisation is interested in applying then please visit www.kelvinvalleyleader.org.uk for more information on the programme. The next step is to discuss your idea with the Co-ordination team. However, please remember that this is the final round of funding and keep the following issues in mind when considering whether your idea is applicable to this round of LEADER:
- the amount of funding available is extremely limited
- projects approved must be completed by 31 August 2013
- while an intervention rate of up to 75% is available, due to the limited amount of funding available the programme is seeking projects which offer the most added value
- the programme aims to support small scale, community driven projects
As always the programme requires projects to have match funding in place prior to being approved.
Some information on the Kelvin Valley Programme and contact details for the co-ordination team are below.
What is LEADER?
LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support for rural development through implementing a local rural development strategy. Support is aimed primarily at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.
Kelvin Valley Programme LEADER priorities are:
- Revitalising Communities; and
- Conservation of the Rural Environment
The aim of Kelvin Valley LEADER is to increase the capacity of local rural community and to build knowledge and skills, innovate and co-operate in order to tackle local development objectives, which are:
- joined-up action between the two Local Authorities;
- improved co-operation and connectivity between strategic and local partners;
- generating ideas and innovative approaches;
- building on existing natural and historic assets; and
- environmental sustainability.
What areas are eligible?
Kelvin Valley LEADER area is situated across both North Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire local authorities and includes the settlements of Kirkintilloch, Kilsyth, Lennoxtown, Queenzieburn, Milton of Campsie, Kelvinhead, Twechar, Banton, Clachan of Campsie and Croy.
The Kelvin Valley LEADER Programme is led through our Local Action Group (LAG), comprising representatives from the main community groups within the area and public sector bodies.
Who can apply?
Constituted community groups, social enterprises, voluntary organisations or public sector bodies with a project idea that will benefit the rural community can apply.
- Applicants will need to have match funding and LEADER grant cannot be released until this match funding in place. Letters of intent from match funders will suffice.
A minimum project cost of £10,000 applies (i.e. the minimum amount you can apply to LEADER for is £5,000).
- Monitoring and evaluation requirements of LEADER will result in funded projects being visited at least once during the lifetime of the project and possibly after completion.
Where can I go for assistance or guidance?
You can seek assistance with your application from a member of the Co-ordination Team. The team are responsible to the LAG to facilitate projects under LEADER and work with community projects to develop these into a final application for the LAG to consider.
What information do I need to supply with the community application?
You will need to supply a variety of information, details of which will depend on the nature of each project coming forward - examples might be; details of the community Group and constitution, any planning permission or building warrant, estimates of equipment/services being provided, detailed proposals of communities own contribution and match funding being in place.
Co-ordination Team contacts:
Paul Kane (North Lanarkshire Council)
Tel: 01698 302842
E-mail: kanepaul@northlan.gov.uk
Ellen Archibald (North Lanarkshire Council)
Tel: 01698 302446
E-mail: archibalde@northlan.gov.uk
Suzanne Bruce (East Dunbartonshire Council)
Tel: 0141 578 8625
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 |
Kelvin
Valley Business Plan
