Feighan welcomes €70m Transitional LEADER Programme

Feighan welcomes €70m Transitional LEADER Programme

  • Local Groups can apply for funding immediately
  • Roscommon Leader allocated €2.6m
  • A total of €70 million to support rural communities and enterprises

 The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, T.D. has today (9th April 2021) announced the details of the allocation of the €70 million Transitional LEADER programme for the period 2021-2022.

  • €65 million is being allocated to support locally led rural development projects across the 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs)
  • €3 million is being allocated to support the LEADER Co-operation measure which encourages rural areas to work together on collaborative projects
  • €2 million will be allocated to prepare for the next LEADER Programme

This announcement has been warmly welcomed by local TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan where Minister Humphreys also published the funding allocations being provided to each of the 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Roscommon Leader Company will receive €2.6m

“I am really pleased that the strong delivery of local leader companies to local communities can continue with this significant funding before the next leader programme is launched”

“The new programme is now open for applications and I would encourage communities and local enterprises who wish to avail of funding to make contact with their Local Development Company to discuss how the LEADER Programme can assist their plans.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything it is to think outside the box so if you have an innovative idea that can make a real difference in your community then pick up the phone and contact your local LEADER Company today” concluded Minister Feighan.

Announcing details of the new programme today, Minister Humphreys said:

“Last week, I launched Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious new policy for the development of rural Ireland.

“As I said at the launch, Government alone does not have all the answers and there can be no one-size-fits all approach.

“Every Town, Village and Parish is different and that means the people best placed to effect change in their communities are the people who live there.

“LEADER has always been about a ground up, community led approach and that’s why I am delighted to announce details of this new €70million fund today.

Minister Humphreys continued:

“This funding will support locally-led projects which focus on many of the key themes of Our Rural Future such as building capacity and empowering local communities, embracing opportunities in the green economy, supporting remote working and the digital transformation, developing our outdoor amenities and creating jobs in rural areas.”