Thursday, 27 October 2022
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the details of the €180 million LEADER Programme for 2023-2027 which will support thousands of locally-led rural development and enterprise projects over the next five years.
Minister Humphreys today published the 2023-2027 funding allocation for each county whereby Donegal was allocated €10.4 million.
The selection process will be conducted over two stages; the first stage is an ‘Expression of Interest’ by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies. This first stage of the process was opened by Minister Humphreys today:
Stage 1 : Interested parties will have until Friday 16th December 2022 to submit their Expression of Interest. If successful in Stage 1, groups will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process.
Interested parties can now apply by visiting the Department’s website and downloading an application form via the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development
Completed Expressions of Interest forms must be submitted by email only to leader2327@drcd.gov.ie no later than 5.30pm on Friday 16th December 2022.
Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said:
“The LEADER Programme has been integral to delivering locally-led projects that have brought major benefits to communities across Rural Ireland.
“LEADER operates on a ground-up approach and is all about empowering local communities to deliver projects that will revitalise our towns and villages.
“Today, I’m pleased to set out the process for selecting groups to deliver the new LEADER programme.
“The process will be open, transparent and competitive and I am encouraging groups in the private and public sector to work together to achieve the best possible results.”
Minister Humphreys acknowledged the tremendous work of the Local Action Groups that have successfully delivered the current LEADER programme, stating:
“It is now important that the key public and private stakeholders in communities across Ireland come together in partnership to deliver a LEADER programme that will build on the fantastic success of the programme over the last 30 years. “By working together, we will ensure that LEADER continues to play a central role in supporting rural communities into the future.”
