LEADER 2023-2027
What is LEADER?
The LEADER programme (an acronym in French meaning Links between actions for the development of the rural economy) is a European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create jobs.
What is the LAG?
Decisions on LEADER funding are made at a local level by a Local Action Group (LAG), through the framework of a Local Development Strategy (LDS). A LAG is made up of people from the local community as well as from the local public and private sector. The LDS is a plan that is developed by rural communities to support sustainable development of their sub-regional area. There are three LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) in County Cork located in the Divisions of North, South and West.
The LEADER element of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 outlines a series of themes that were identified as part of research and consultations undertaken in developing the plan. 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. The sub-themes are considered to be sufficiently broad and flexible to encompass the diversity of local needs in rural areas and the range of projects supported through the LDS.
LEADER Themes and Sub Themes
Theme 1
Economic Development and Job Creation
The Green Economy
Agricultural Diversification
Rural Tourism & Recreation
Enterprise Development
Rural Food Production
Theme 2
Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion
Rural Infrastructure
Accessible Services
Optimising Digital Connectivity
Rural Youth
Theme 3
Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Sustainable Development of Rural Environment
Climate Change Capacity Building
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
How to Apply for Funding
Project Promoters are required to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI). This process facilitates an initial engagement with the applicant on the details of the project, its consistency with the LDS objectives and the steps involved to bring it to fruition. Your Local Development Group may accept EOIs on a ‘rolling call’ (‘first-come, first served’) basis or on a ‘targeted call’ (competitive) basis. Targeted and rolling calls will be widely publicised, e.g. on the LAG’s/ Avondhu Blackwater Partnership’s and SECAD’s website, at information meetings and/or in the local media
Where an EOI is eligible, the potential applicant will be asked to submit full application. Unsuccessful applicants at EOI stage or application stage, under both targeted and rolling calls, may appeal the decision to the LAG.
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG
The Mill,
Castletownroche,
Co. Cork.
P51 F9PX
022 46580
SECAD
Community Enterprise Centre,
Owenacurra Business Park,
Knockgriffin,
Midleton,
Co. Cork
P25 Y893
021 461 3432
Stage 1
Complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Stage 2
On approval of EOI, submit an application form and all required documentation.
Stage 3
Application will be reviewed and evaluated by an Independent Evaluation Committee (IEC)
Stage 4
The Application will be reviewed and final determination of grant approval will be made by the Local Community Development Committee of Cork County Council (LCDC).
Stage 5
On approval of the application, a contract will be issued. Any work undertaken before the contract has been signed and returned to the relevant Implementing Partner will be deemed ineligible for funding.
Ineligible Activities
Aid shall not be awarded or paid in respect of the following areas:
- Primary Agriculture:
- Primary Horticulture
- Fisheries
- Conventional retail operations, excluding community based shops and farm shops, outlets selling locally produced produce.
- Courses of instruction or training which form the part of normal education programmes or systems at pre-school, primary, secondary or higher levels up to and including FETAC & QQI Level 10.
- Private schools and colleges, Sudbury type schools, Montessori schools, Creches. Boards of Management of such institutions, all schools funded in any way by the Department of Education, including private schools.
- Research bodies
- Continuous professional development courses
- Loans
- Working capital (including stock) funding for a training course provider to run their own course/ training course provider getting funding to run a course and get paid for it out of project funding aid
- Operational Costs of Project Promoters – salary/overheads etc.
- Insurance for project promoters
- Payments for gifts, donations or personal entertainments, Small Benefit Tax Exemption, Inducements to take part in Training eg shopping voucher for attendance
- Statutory fines and penalties, criminal fines and damages
- Legal expenses
- Costs associated with meeting a legislative or statutory requirement
- Planning application fees and other measures required for compliance
- Reclaimable VAT
- Improvements/refurbishment of private residential property
- B&B’s that are part of a private residence
- Cars, industrial/farm/construction vehicles, vans, buses, tractors, diggers, mini-diggers, excavators, forklifts, including trailers to transport such vehicles
- General maintenance works of public bodies
- Childcare
- Health Care & Health Care equipment
- Nursing homes
- Housing
- Race and sport horse industries, with the exception of ancillary activities for the provision of services to those industries
- Greyhound Industry and activities that involve greyhounds, such as but not limited to, greyhound tracks, training facilities, and ancillary activities for the provision of services to those industries
- Projects where products being funded are made outside Ireland and are kept outside Ireland
- Mentoring is not eligible as a standalone project. It may be included as a module in a training project.
Regulations to Consider
Project commencement
Project commencement
Matching Finance
Matching Finance
Tax Clearance & Vat Status
Tax Clearance and VAT
Planning Permission/ Exemption
Planning Permission
Evidence of Ownership/ Lease/ Permission
Proof of Ownership/ Lease/ Permission
Procurement
Procurement
Current Rates of Aid
Summary of Current Funding Ceilings and Support Rates | |||
Type of Project | Application | Max Rate of Aid | Max Funding |
Community Projects not involving Economic Activity | Community | Up to a max of 75% | €500,000 |
Community Projects involving Economic Activity | Community (after 1st April 2021) | Up to a max of 75% | €200,000 |
Investment & other supports (including promotion undertaken as part of the implementation of a project) | Private (after 1st April 2021) | Up to a max of 75% | €200,000 |
Community | Up to a max of 75% | ||
Community under Basic Services Targeted at Hard to Reach Community Sub Theme | Up to a max of 90% | ||
Analysis and Development | Private | Up to a max of 75% | €30,000 |
Community | Up to a max of 90% | ||
Training | Private/ or Community | Up to a max of 100% | €200,000 |
*Rates of Aid as of October 2024