Leader funding is made available for innovative projects
COMMUNITY groups in County Sligo are being encouraged to come up with projects to avail of new funding allocated last week to Sligo Leader company.
Sligo Leader will receive €2.26million of the €70 million nationally for the Transitional Leader programme for the period 2021-2022, announced on Friday by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.
Welcoming the announcement, local TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan said: “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.”
Cllr Thomas Walsh also welcomed the funding and said it would support community-driven projects which focus on many of the themes of ‘Our Rural Future’ such as supporting remote working, developing outdoor amenities/facilities and creating jobs in rural areas. “This programme will also focus on empowering local communities that haven’t availed of funding in the past and there will be a drive to embrace opportunities in the green economy.
“I know at first hand the support Sligo Leader Partnership have given to many projects across county Sligo under the last Rural Development Programme 20142020. I am confident that this programme will continue to make a positive impact on our communities,” he said.
The priorities of the programme are:
l Supports to rural businesses seeking to reach new markets, expand, innovate and/or diversify in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and/ or Brexit, with a particular emphasis on providing support to businesses in the food sector.
l Community-based projects that seek to address the impact of the Covid19 pandemic.
l Supports and capacity building for communities that have not previously received assistance under Leader or other rural programmes.
l Support for new and innovative projects in the areas of climate change, environmental protection and the green economy.
l Maximising the potential of broadband and the digital economy in communities, including through skills development and building awareness and usage of available remote working facilities.
l Projects that develop the concept of the Smart Village initiative or Rural Economic Development Zone.