About Irish Local Development Network
The membership currently stands at 52 with all members delivering the Local
Community Development Programme and in rural contexts, the LEADER
Rural Development Programme.
While these two programmes are the two main core programmes for members, there are a host of other initiatives at national and European level that companies leverage funding from to support and enhance the development of their communities.
Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP)
LCDP
The Local and Community Development Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It is the successor to the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and the Community Development Programme and forms part of the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
The LCDP allows for the integration of the old Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and the Community Development Programme into one new Programme.
Aim
The Local and Community Development Programme aims to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities.
Target Groups/Areas
The programme prioritises marginalised people and groups within the most disadvantaged communities, which means that it targets those furthest from access to education, training and employment, and those at highest risk of social exclusion. The programme will continue to work with the target groups/areas and issues as prioritised under the previous programmes based on an identification and demonstration of analysis of local need.
Programme Goals
- Promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.
- Increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural activities and resources.
- Increase people’s work readiness and employment prospects.
- Promote active engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities.
LEADER Rural Development Programme
LEADER Today:
Rural Development Programme 2007-13
Diversifying the rural economy
The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 13 has a wide range of measures offering a broad menu of possibilities for rural people and communities throughout Ireland. These measures include:
DO YOU have a business idea, a plan for your community or a project you think could benefit your family, your farm or your local area?
THEN your local LEADER Company can help in a range of ways - with training and assistance to put plans around your ideas, to provide funding for feasibility studies and capital funding for projects.
Your local LEADER Company is waiting to talk to you.
LEADER: 20 Years of Rural Innovation
Over the last 20 years a series of LEADER Programmes has played a crucial part in reviving rural Europe by diversifying the rural economy, creating jobs, developing community capacity & local governance and maintaining rural population.
The LEADER initiative was established by the European Commission in 1991 to support rural communities following reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy.
Since 1991 there have been four LEADER Programmes, LEADER I, LEADER II, LEADER + and the LEADER element of the current Rural Development Programme (RDP)
LEADER I was introduced in Ireland in 1992 and 17 delivery groups were selected to pilot the Initiative. A unique feature of the programme was its "bottom up" approach whereby EU funds were made available for the implementation of business plans that were designed locally with decisions on project funding made by local action groups.
When LEADER II was introduced in 1994 the programme was extended to all rural areas in Ireland and the number of delivery groups increased to 34. Increased funding was made available and there was a specific emphasis on skill acquisition and capacity building to ensure communities had the capacity to deliver business plans. The local action groups were established as limited companies with boards representing the community, voluntary, private and statutory sectors, local authorities and social partners.
Between 2000 - 2006 an enhanced programme, LEADER +, continued to support rural development. Thirty-five groups and three national bodies delivered the programme nationwide. LEADER + was complemented by national funding delivered under the National Rural Development Programme.
WHAT IS LEADER?
The purpose of LEADER is to help sustain rural life in Europe by funding
social and economic ventures that create work, enhance the quality
of life and maintain a viable population in rural areas.
What does the word LEADER stand for?
The word LEADER is an acronym derived from the French title, Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Economie Rurale. Loosely translated this means, 'integrated rural development actions.'
LEADER: in Action
Since 1992, the LEADER Programme has invested more than €700m in Ireland and leveraged another €600m into a wide variety of projects and initiatives.
Jobs: Throughout Europe the LEADER programme has delivered up to 250.000 jobs.
The wider impact
The wider impact of LEADER is incalculable. LEADER has been a core
contributor in the development of many initiatives as the Rural Transport
Programme, The Rural Social Scheme, Clár and Tús. It has had a multiplier
effect on the capacity of rural communities to engage in their own
development thanks to the ethos of LEADER and the 'bottom up' form
of local governance adopted by the local action groups.
The support offered by LEADER:
LEADER staff provide mentoring to groups and individuals seeking
LEADER funding and support. They can organise specific training where
appropriate.
Specific grants are available for feasibility studies, marketing, business
development and community infrastructure, village renewal, farm diversification
and capital equipment.
LEADER can provide 75% funding towards community projects and 50% for private initiatives.
Types of projects supported over 20 years of LEADER
| Community Facilities | Community Centres, Playgrounds, Training Facilities, Local Festivals, Cultural Activities, Environmental Action, Museums and Heritage Projects |
| Rural Tourism & Leisure Initiatives | Angling, Accommodation, Adventure Centres, Activity Centres, Equestrian, Boating, Karting, Festivals, Walking, Biking, Sailing, Tour Guiding, Tourism Networks |
| Training Initiatives | Community Capacity, Computers, Marketing, Business Organisation, Product Development, Health and Safety, Corporate Governance |
| Crafts | Jewellery, Fashion Accessories, Metalwork, Woodcraft, Furniture, Design, Basketry, Restoration, Weaving, Craft Networks |
| Food | Artisan Foods, Bakery, Cheesemaking, Smokery, Value Added Dairy Products, Curing, Preserves, Confectionery, Craft Butchery, Food Networks |
| Farm Diversification | Added Value Food Production, Equestrian Activities, Walking, Visitor Farms, Accommodation, Farm Based Crafts, Light Engineering |
WHO BENEFITS FROM LEADER?>