LEADER
LEADER supports community-led local development in rural Ireland.
About the LEADER Programme
What is LEADER?

- Economic Development, Enterprise Development
Job Creationand - Social Inclusion
- Rural Environment.
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 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 [add
- 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
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 Storyboards
Latest News
LEADER workshop on Social Inclusion and Broadband – reports now available
Organised by the National Rural Network and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), the LEADER Social Inclusion and Broadband workshop on December 4th 2018 brought together over 80 members of Local Action Groups and Implementing Partners. The...
read moreDiverse Range of Food Businesses to Benefit from Over €550,000 Through Leader Food Initiative
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD have approved funding of €557,408 for 12 LEADER Food Initiative projects, which have been independently evaluated and recommended...
read moreMinister Ring announces €50 million in Funding has Been Approved for Over 1,500 LEADER Projects
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has announced that over 1,500 projects have now been approved under the new LEADER Programme. In total, over €50 million has now been awarded to LEADER projects over the past year and a half. The...
read moreAre you interested in leader and
rural development?
Case Studies
Restoration of Walled Garden in Mountbellew
Preserving and celebrating local heritage to bring its multifaceted value to life. Summary In the long term, the Mountbellew Heritage and Tourism Network aims to rejuvenate, conserve and develop the 18th century walled garden in Mountbellew, County Galway. Developing...
read moreSWEETS Community and Adult Education Centre
South Westmeath Employment Education and Training Services (SWEETS) is a community services project located in rural Westmeath. Summary IT training is a core activity of SWEETS. This LEADER funded project facilitated SWEETS to upgrade its laptop equipment. The...
read moreCorduff Raferagh Community Centre
This project involved carrying out necessary repairs and upgrades to the Corduff Raferagh Community Centre. Summary This LEADER project included internal and external works such as solar panels, roof repairs, stage lighting, acoustic panels and computer equipment to...
read moreVideo Gallery
Reports and Resources
LEADER USEFUL LINKS
NRN Partners & Funders
