LEADER
LEADER supports community-led local development in rural Ireland.
About the LEADER Programme
What is LEADER?
- Economic Development, Enterprise Development
and - Social Inclusion
- Rural Environment.
Since its inception in 1991, LEADER has provided grants to rural Ireland to direct economic and social development through community-led local development. Funded through Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020, the current LEADER Programme budget provides €250 million in financial grant aid which is 7% of the overall RDP.
For more information on the wider RDP see the Summary of Rural Development Programme Ireland 2014 to 2020 publication.
The LEADER Concept
The LEADER Programme is based on the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development. A European Commission report entitled The LEADER Approach – A Basic Guide details the rationale behind the LEADER community-led local development approach.
It states: “The main concept behind the LEADER initiative is that, given the diversity of European rural areas, development strategies are more effective and efficient if decided and implemented at local level by local actors, accompanied by clear and transparent procedures, the support of the relevant public administrations and the necessary technical assistance for the transfer of good practice”
7 Key Principles of LEADER
The LEADER approach to rural development is based on 7 key principles to guide the practice of community-led local development. The principles complement each other and should positively interact for successful LEADER Programme implementation. The 7 principles are deeply connected and work together in tandem as a toolkit to safeguard and build a brighter future for rural communities.
LEADER 2014-2020 Themes and Sub-Themes
The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 includes themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes. They are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and with the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural Ireland.
Download the National Rural Network’s leaflet on LEADER Community-Led Local Development for more information.
Local Action Group (LAGs) and Implementing Partners (IPs)
Decisions on LEADER funding are made at a local level by a network of Local Action Group (LAGs). A community-led Local Development Strategy provides the framework within which decisions are made.
- LAGs work within a defined sub-regional geographic catchment area and are made up of both public and private local community members.
Currently 29 LAGs have contracts in place with the Department of Rural and Community Development to deliver the LEADER Programme.- Within LAGs, Implementing Partners are responsible for the day to day management and
co-ordination of the LEADER Programme on the ground. - Implementing Partners provide funding applicants in their catchment area with grant application supports, such as advice, training and mentoring.
For further information on LEADER funding in your local area, including how to apply for grants, you can contact your Local Action Group.
The NRN team at NUI Galway collaborated with David Kelly, Research Technologist at the Whitaker Institute and Moore Institute at NUI Galway to create an informative interactive map of LAGs in Ireland. It details:
- Geographical boundaries of Ireland’s 29 LAGs
- Implementing Partners in each LAG region
- Contact details for each LAG and Implementing Partner, as well as links to websites and social media pages.
The following downloads are also available:
What is LEADER Cooperation?
Cooperation is a feature of a number of Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 schemes. The LEADER Cooperation Scheme is designed to encourage rural areas to work together on joint projects with mutual benefits for each participating area. LEADER Cooperation is more than networking. There are many potential benefits, such as:
- Widen local views in order to improve local strategies
- Access information and new ideas
- Learn from other regions or countries
- Stimulate and support innovation
- Acquire skills and means to improve delivery.
Cooperation is a partnership between LAGs but the partnership can also involve non LEADER groups. Cooperation projects between LEADER LAGs and non-LEADER groups may also be eligible where the proposed project is led and coordinated by the LEADER LAG, and the non-LEADER group is implementing a local strategy. Partners must have a direct relevance to the project theme and may have an advisory or a practical role in project management and delivery. It is vital that partners add value to the overall project and its eventual outcomes.
Different types of LEADER cooperation exist:
- Inter-territorial Cooperation takes place between two or more LAGs within a Member State.
- Transnational Cooperation takes place between two or more LAGs from different Member States. For example, cooperation between a LAG from Northern Ireland and Ireland is known as Transnational Cooperation.
Find out more:
- Check out the European Network for Rural Development’s LEADER Cooperation web-based resource.
- Download the toolkit ‘Launching Cooperation North and South’ designed to encourage Transnational Cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
LEADER FUNDING:
How to Apply Guide
The LEADER Programme provides funding to support community-led rural development. This guide explores how the LEADER funding process works in practice, providing an overview of the main stages and requirements when making an application.
Celebrating the Impact of LEADER on Rural Communities – Winners Announced!
A celebration of how LEADER has impacted rural enterprise, organisations, communities and local environments across Ireland.
LEADER Storyboards
Theme 1: Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Project Examples
Theme 2: Social Inclusion Project Examples
Theme 3: Rural Environment Project Examples
Latest News
LEADER Case Studies feature in South Kerry Development Partnership Spring Newsletter
In their latest newsletter, the South Kerry Development Partnership showcase 14 projects, in Iveragh, South Kerry, that have received funding under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014-2020, across the economic development, social inclusion and environment...
County Kildare LEADER Partnership Newsletter – March 2021
The County Kildare LEADER Partnership recently published their March LEADER newsletter, marking the completion of the 2014-2020 programme, following an extension for the first three months of 2021. The newsletter outlines the final three projects approved for LEADER...
Details of €70 Million Transitional LEADER Programme Announced
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (9th April) announced the details of the allocation of the €70 million Transitional LEADER programme for the period 2021-2022. Local Groups can apply for funding immediately. A total of...
Are you interested in leader and
rural development?
Case Studies
Aerial Agri Tech – Purchase of Specialist Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Surveying Unit
Aerial Agri Tech is an innovative start up business established in 2015. Aerial Agri Tech uses earth observation platforms and processing technology to give their clients a unique insight into their environment and capture specific forms of high level data. The use of...
Community Hub Project – Sligo Centre for Independent Living
The Sligo Centre for Independent Living (SCIL) was set up in 1996 with the aim of promoting maximum independence for people with disabilities and to support their inclusion and empowerment within their communities. SCIL noted that many of their members were finding it...
Westport Beekeepers Association – Equipment Upgrade
The Westport Beekeepers Association was established in 2010 to provide education and training to anyone interested in bees and beekeeping. The Association has since grown to over 100 members and it regularly interacts with other beekeeping associations across the...
Video Gallery
LEADER Programme 2014-2020 Project Examples from the NRN
LEADER USEFUL LINKS
Irish Local Action Groups and Implementing Partners Database
The NRN team at NUI Galway have collaborated with David Kelly, Research Technologist at the Whitaker Institute and Moore Institute at NUI Galway to create an informative interactive Local Action Groups (LAGs) map of Ireland.
