On 20th May last Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the LEADER elements of the new Rural Development Programme.
Under the Programme, funding of €425.4 million will be provided, almost treble the amount available in the last Programme (2000-2006), and the largest ever package for rural development. The funding (available towards the end of the year) will be channelled through Local Action Groups such as ECAD to support and facilitate the continued development of rural communities all over Ireland.
The Rural Development Programme will be delivered through the LEADER approach, an innovative ‘bottom up’ approach that encourages rural areas to explore ways to become or remain competitive, to make the most of their assets and to overcome whatever challenges they may face. This approach is community driven and is managed through the Local Action Groups.
The range of activities to be funded under this Programme are varied and will include diversification into non-agricultural activities, support for business creation and development, encouragement of tourism activities, basic services for the economy and rural population, village renewal and development, conservation and upgrading of rural heritage and training.
“ECAD is pleased that details of the new programme have finally been announced. We look forward to working with communities across the area over the next few years and would hope to see actions being delivered from the beginning of next year” said Ryan Howard, CEO of ECAD.
ECAD has been involved in consultations with individuals and groups across a range of sectors over the past year or so. If you have a tourism enterprise that you wish to get started, please contact Edel at ECAD on 021 4613432.
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