LEADER + 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.

How to Apply

Funding guidelines intended to clarify the LEADER + and NRDP measures and procedures necessary for making an application are available on this website. The enquiry form is also available to be downloaded.

To make an application for aid a LEADER + / NRDP grant aid -

• A project promoter must contact Wicklow Rural Partnership and discuss the outline of the project for which grant aid is being sought. WRP staff will clarify the eligibility of the project for funding.
  
• On clarification of the eligibility of the project for LEADER + / NRDP funding, the project promoter in consultation with a staff member of WRP will make a formal application.
  
• On receipt of the formal application WRP will formally acknowledge your application.
  
• The applicant project is then put forward for appraisal to the relevant Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee appraises the application and makes a recommendation to the Board of Wicklow Rural Partnership where a final decision on grant aid will be taken.
  
• A Letter of Offer (or in some cases rejection) will be issued to the project promoter enclosing a contract and a checklist of items required to achieve drawdown of grant aid.
  
• The project promoter must confirm acceptance of the terms by returning the signed contract to Wicklow Rural Partnership. The work of the project can then begin. It is important to keep in contact with WRP to give regular updates on progress.
  
• On completion of the project, claims documentation must be completed and submitted to LEADER. Payment will issue when the documentation submitted is certified as correct.

To find out more about our funding Guidelines click here

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