Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd.

| LEADER Plus Programme | Objectives | Directors | Evaluation Committees |Staff

Wicklow Rural Partnership Limited (WRP) was established in September, 1994, for the purpose of administering the LEADER II Programme in County Wicklow, outside Bray, Rathmichael and part of Kilmacanogue.
Wicklow Rural Partnership evolved from Wicklow Rural Enterprise Ltd., which was established in 1992 to deliver the LEADER I Programme.
Wicklow Rural Partnership has a very impressive track record in rural development, having successfully delivered the two previous LEADER Programmes in Co. Wicklow.

Funding
LEADER I 1992 - 1995 £ 2.06m
LEADER II 1992 - 2001 £ 2.76m
LEADER + 2001 - 2006 € 4.53m

Wicklow Rural Partnership is responsible for the delivery of the LEADER Plus and National Rural Development Programmes (NRDP) in Co. Wicklow for the period 2000-2006. The NRDP funding from the National Development Plan is primarily to support Rural/Agri-tourism projects.
In addition to delivering the LEADER + and NRDP programmes in County Wicklow, WRP is also responsible for the delivery of the National Rural Transport Initiative in the county, through Wicklow Rural Transport and is the lead partner in the Kildare/Wicklow EQUAL programme.

LEADER Plus Programme
LEADER Plus is an EU programme aimed at promoting the long term sustainable development of rural areas. The Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs are the National Authority responsible for the programme in Ireland. The theme for LEADER Plus selected by Wicklow Rural Partnership in consultation with local development stakeholders is "to support integrated communities and sustainable local environments and economies through enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainable development".

The programme will encourage projects which are innovative in nature. Furthermore, women and youth in rural areas, are two groups which have been identified for priority attention as they are felt to central to the development of rural areas.
WRP have received a total allocation of €4,653,000 for the 2002-2006 period.

Projects are funded under the following measures:

• Training (more....)
• Analysis & Development (more....)
• Innovation Rural Enterprise, Craft Enterprise & Local Service/Facilities (more....)
• Exploitation of Agriculture, Forestry, & Fisheries Products (more....)
• Enhancement of Natural, Built, Social, Cultural Environment (more....)
• Environmentally Friendly Initiatives (more....)
• Rural/Agri-Tourism (more....)

Mission Statement
"through a process of partnership and co-operation, to develop the capacity of individuals and communities by supporting the economic, social, cultural and environmental improvement of the catchment area of Wicklow Rural Partnership."

Company Objectives

• To pro-actively develop the human capacity and infrastructure of communities in a focused manner, thereby improving their quality of life.
• To develop innovative rural enterprise initiatives, particularly in the natural resource sector i.e. forestry/timber, crafts and food.
• To develop Co. Wicklow as a sustainable rural tourism destination through product development and promotion.
• To develop and support innovative renewable energy and environmentally friendly initiatives in conjunction with other relevant agencies.
• To develop and support community based heritage, arts and cultural initiatives in Co. Wicklow.

The following are crosscutting themes, which will impact on one or more of the objectives outlined above:

• Women & Youth will be pro-actively encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, all our activities and supports.
• To energise and support the capacity of individuals and communities to reach there desired potential.
• To focus resources on projects and initiatives in the less well developed areas of Co. Wicklow, and particularly in the south and west of the county.
• To develop transnational and inter-territorial projects which will promote the sustainable development of Co. Wicklow

Board of Directors
The Board of Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd. consists of 22 members representing community interests, the social partners, state agencies and elected public representatives.
The eight community directors are nominated from three panels in the county : East (3), South (2) and West (2). The state and social partner representatives are nominated by their respective organisations.

Statutory Representatives

Tom Gregan
Tom is Chairperson of Wicklow Rural Partnership and is the representative of Wicklow County Enterprise Board. He is also Chairman of Wicklow Mountain's National Park Council and is a member of Old Coollattin Country and Wicklow County Development Board.

Cllr. Michael Lawlor
Michael represents County Wicklow VEC and is an elected member of Wicklow County Council. He also sits on the boards of Wicklow Enterprise Park Ltd., Bray Partnership Ltd, Wicklow County Tourism and Wicklow County Development Board as Chairman. He is currently Chairman of the Local Authorities Members Association.

Cllr. Kathleen Kelleher
Kathleen represents Wicklow County Council and is an elected member of the Council. She is a member of Greystones Town Council and is Chairperson of the Greystones Town Council Community Affairs Committee. She also serves of the Board of Directors of Wicklow County Tourism, is a member of the Mid East Regional Tourism Authority and is a member of Wicklow Heritage Forum.

Sean Casey
Sean represents the National Parks and Wildlife of where he is a Divisional Manager.

John Keating
John is Chief Agricultural Officer for Co. Wicklow with Teagasc and is a new member of the Board representing Teagasc. He is also a member of the Kildare/Wicklow EQUAL programme and Wicklow County Development Board.

Seamus Walker
Seamus is Director of Transportation and Roads Infrastructure with Wicklow County Council.
He represents the County Manager on the Board.

Jack Murphy
Jack represents FAS on the Board. He is also on the Board of Arklow Community Enterprise Ltd.

Community Sector Representatives

Jo Lynch
Jo represents Donard Community Enterprise from the West Wicklow Communities panel. Jo is a member of Wicklow Rural Transport and Wicklow Communities Networking.

Margaret Lynott
Margaret is an original member of the LEADER II Board is a freelance journalist and represents Dunlavin Festival of Arts, West Wicklow Communities panel. Margaret is an active member of communities in West Wicklow was involved with the Special Olympics 2003

Eamonn Doran
Eamonn is a Wildlife Officer with the National Parks & Wildlife representing Old Coollattin Country Ltd., as part of the South Community Panel. Eamonn is also a member of Wicklow Rural Transport and Carnew Musical Society.

Bernard Keating
A Veterinary Surgeon by profession Bernard represents Aughrim Tidy Towns from the South Communities Panel. He is also a member of National Disabled Angling Facility Ltd. and Aughrim I.T. Centre.

Cllr. Pat Casey
Pat is proprietor of the Glendalough Hotel and is an elected representative of Wicklow County Council. Pat represents Glendalough and District Development Association from the East Communities' panel.

Sean Byrne
Sean is a farmer and represents Wicklow Uplands Council from the East Communities panel. Sean is also a member of Wicklow Mountain's National Park Council and Roundwood Community Council.

Paul Leahy
Paul represents Brittas Bay Community Development Group from the East Communities Panel. Paul is a member of Wicklow Communities Networking whom he represents on the Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee of Wicklow County Council.

Social Partners

Saive Coffey
Saive is the secretary of the company and represents the Irish Framers Association. She is also a member of Wicklow Upland Council, Wicklow Dublin Mountains Board and Wicklow Mountain's National Park Council. Saive is an original member of the LEADER I and LEADER II Board. Saive has contributes her experience and knowledge of the Agricultural sector.

Brenda Barry
Brenda is a new member to the LEADER + Board representing Irish Country Women's Association. Interests are in the active role of women in rural development.

David Egar
David is a full time farmer and represents the Private Agri-Business sector. He is also a member of the Irish Farmers Association and Wicklow Information Network.

Nuala Allen
Nuala is the proprietor of Moat Farm Caravan and Camping Park and represents Wicklow County Tourism on the Board. She is also a member of Wicklow County Enterprise Board and the Irish Caravan and Camping Council.

Amanda Mooney
Amanda is a farmer and represents Macra na Feirme on the board.

Chris Hill
Chris represents Glanbia Co-op on the board and he is also a member of Wicklow County Development Board.

Michael Doyle
Michael is a former Coillte employee and represents Wicklow & District Credit Union on the Board.

Stephen Barrett
Stephen is Managing Director of Schering Plough (Avondale) Company and represents the Private Business sector.

Evaluation Committees

The role of the evaluation committees are to provide an independent and objective evaluation of projects seeking grant assistance. There are two committees reflecting the different elements of LEADER.

Staff

Programme Manager: Brian Kehoe

Administrator: Denise Healy

Secretary: Gillian Murphy

Rural Development Officers: Gabrielle Carroll, Siobhán Geoghegan

Rural Transport Co-ordinator: Breda Whelan

Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd., Saville House, Saville's Cross, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Tel: +353 404 46977, Fax: + 353 404 46978, Email: info@wicklowleader.ie