LEADER funding is available to local businesses, communities, farmers, foresters and land managers. Find out how to apply for funding through Local Action Groups (LAGs).
LEADER started its roll out at the end of 2015, and now it’s time for rural businesses and farmers to make the most out of the Government’s funding opportunities.
You can apply to your Local Action Group (LAG) for funding for projects that create jobs, help your business to grow, and benefit the rural economy, under the LEADER scheme. LEADER funding is delivered via LEADER LAGs and is available to local businesses, communities, farmers, foresters and land managers.
A total of £138 million is available in the England between 2015 and 2020 under the scheme. LEADER is part of the RDPE. It is a French acronym (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale) which roughly translates as ‘Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development’.
What projects are eligible
A LAG is made up of people from the local community and the local public and private sector. Each LAG decides which projects they will fund in their area. This depends on their priorities but all projects must support one or more of the 6 LEADER priorities. These are to:
• support micro and small businesses and farm diversification
• boost rural tourism
• increase farm productivity
• increase forestry productivity
• provide rural services
• provide cultural and heritage activities
To find out more, and to apply, you should contact your Local Action Group, or check their website.
