LEADER funding

The LEADER Initiative (Liaisons entre actions de développement de l’économie rurale) was established by the European Commission in 1991.  It was designed to aid the development of sustainable rural communities following the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy.  

LEADER promotes a ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development, with the implementation of business plans and decisions on funding being made at a national level on projects.

The LEADER programme supports locally identified initiatives that seek to address locally identified needs and challenges. It is delivered by a Local Action Group (or LAG), which have been selected to implement Local Development Strategies.

Sligo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is the Local Action Group (LAG) for delivery of the LEADER programme in Sligo. Sligo LCDC is a committee of Sligo County Council consisting of representatives from statutory and non-statutory agencies in the county. The Lead Implementation Partner for the programme is County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG.

Sligo has secured a budget of €6,054,309 million for the 2023 - 2027 LEADER programme, to support and facilitate the continued development of rural communities all over Sligo County, to include programme funding and administration and animation costs.

Funding will be awarded based on the approved Local Development Strategy and the awarding body will be the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).

Programme Themes & Sub-Themes

The 2023 – 2027 LEADER Programme will be delivered via three Themes, as detailed below.  These themes are reflective of the key challenges and opportunities facing rural Ireland.

Each theme is given further definition through a number of sub-themes, which reflect the key areas that require the most support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities. 

Themes

  1. Economic Development and Job Creation
  2. Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion
  3. Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Sub Themes

  • The Green Economy
  • Rural Infrastructure
  • Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment 
  • Agricultural Diversification
  • Accessible Services
  • Climate Change Capacity Building
  • Rural Tourism and recreation
  • Optimising Digital Connectivity
  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
  • Enterprise Development
  • Rural Youth
  • Rural Food Production
  • Social, Community & Cooperative Enterprises
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