LEADER

LEADER supports community-led local development in rural Ireland.

About the LEADER Programme

What is LEADER?

  • Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
  • Social Inclusion
  • Rural Environment.

Since its inception in 1991, LEADER has provided grants to rural Ireland to direct economic and social development through community-led local development. Funded through Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020, the current LEADER Programme budget provides €250 million in financial grant aid which is 7% of the overall RDP.

For more information on the wider RDP see the Summary of Rural Development Programme Ireland 2014 to 2020 publication.

The LEADER Concept

The LEADER Programme is based on the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development. A European Commission report entitled The LEADER Approach – A Basic Guide details the  rationale behind the LEADER community-led local development approach.

It states: “The main concept behind the LEADER initiative is that, given the diversity of European rural areas, development strategies are more effective and efficient if decided and implemented at local level by local actors, accompanied by clear and transparent procedures, the support of the relevant public administrations and the necessary technical assistance for the transfer of good practice”

7 Key Principles of LEADER

The LEADER approach to rural development is based on 7 key principles to guide the practice of community-led local development. The principles complement each other and should positively interact for successful LEADER Programme implementation. The 7 principles are deeply connected and work together in tandem as a toolkit to safeguard and build a brighter future for rural communities.

7 Key Principles of LEADER

LEADER 2014-2020 Themes and Sub-Themes

The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 includes themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes. They are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and with the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural Ireland.

Download the National Rural Network’s leaflet on LEADER Community-Led Local Development for more information.

Local Action Group (LAGs) and Implementing Partners (IPs)

LEADER Logos

Decisions on LEADER funding are made at a local level by a network of Local Action Group (LAGs). A community-led Local Development Strategy provides the framework within which decisions are made.

  • LAGs work within a defined sub-regional geographic catchment area and are made up of both public and private local community members.
  • Currently 29 LAGs have contracts in place with the Department of Rural and Community Development to deliver the LEADER Programme.
  • Within LAGs, Implementing Partners are responsible for the day to day management and co-ordination of the LEADER Programme on the ground.
  • Implementing Partners provide funding applicants in their catchment area with grant application supports, such as advice, training and mentoring.

For further information on LEADER funding in your local area, including how to apply for grants, you can contact your Local Action Group.

The NRN team at NUI Galway collaborated with David Kelly, Research Technologist at the Whitaker Institute and Moore Institute at NUI Galway to create an informative interactive map of LAGs in Ireland. It details:

  • Geographical boundaries of Ireland’s 29 LAGs
  • Implementing Partners in each LAG region
  • Contact details for each LAG and Implementing Partner, as well as links to websites and social media pages.

The following downloads are also available:

What is LEADER Cooperation?

Cooperation is a feature of a number of Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 schemes. The LEADER Cooperation Scheme is designed to encourage rural areas to work together on joint projects with mutual benefits for each participating area. LEADER Cooperation is more than networking. There are many potential benefits, such as:

  • Widen local views in order to improve local strategies
  • Access information and new ideas
  • Learn from other regions or countries
  • Stimulate and support innovation
  • Acquire skills and means to improve delivery.

Cooperation is a partnership between LAGs but the partnership can also involve non LEADER groups.  Cooperation projects between LEADER LAGs and non-LEADER groups may also be eligible where the proposed project is led and coordinated by the LEADER LAG, and the non-LEADER group is implementing a local strategy.  Partners must have a direct relevance to the project theme and may have an advisory or a practical role in project management and delivery.  It is vital that partners add value to the overall project and its eventual outcomes.

Different types of LEADER cooperation exist:

  • Inter-territorial Cooperation takes place between two or more LAGs within a Member State.
  • Transnational Cooperation takes place between two or more LAGs from different Member States. For example, cooperation between a LAG from Northern Ireland and Ireland is known as Transnational Cooperation.

Find out more:

LEADER Funding: How to Apply

The LEADER Programme provides funding to support community-led rural development. This guide explores how the LEADER funding process works in practice, providing an overview of the main stages and requirements when making an application.

LEADER

2020 LEADER Impact Campaign

Celebrating the Impact of LEADER on Rural Communities – Winners Announced!

A celebration of how LEADER has impacted rural enterprise, organisations, communities and local environments across Ireland.

LEADER Dashboard

Irish Local Action Groups and Implementing Partners Database

The NRN team at NUI Galway have collaborated with David Kelly, Research Technologist at the Whitaker Institute and Moore Institute at NUI Galway to create an informative interactive Local Action Groups (LAGs) map of Ireland.

Latest News

Blog Posts

July 2023 EU CAP Network LEADER E-Newsletter

A new EU CAP Network E-Newsletter dedicated to sharing LEADER experiences and success stories from Local Action Groups (LAGs) across Member States was launched earlier this year. This publication provides a quarterly round-up of the main LEADER-related activities...

Case Studies

Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action

The need to support training targeted at raising awareness and knowledge of the impacts of climate change on individuals’ daily lives was identified as a priority under the Rural Environment theme of the LEADER Programme in Cavan’s Local Development Strategy 2016....

read more

LEADER Resource Centre:
Reports, Videos & Resources

NRN Partners & Funders

Contact Info

Tel: 090 6482744
Email: info@nationalruralnetwork.ie

 

Address

 Unit 2A Moate Business Park,
Clara Rd, Moate,
Co. Westmeath. N37 W9R0