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IRD Duhallow finally received its contract for the delivery of LEADER 2007-2013 in January 2009, with an allocation of over €10 million. IRD Duhallow has worked tirelessly through the Irish LEADER Network, CLE, to negotiate operating rules that maximise funding for communities and local business as well as ensuring the success of the programme. The level of funding available has increased significantly since the LEADER + programme, with the maximum grant rate now standing at €150,000. Communities can now receive up to 75% funding for eligible capital projects and enterprise project rates remain at 50%. Training is still eligible at 100% for communities and 50% for Enterprise and Analysis and Development at 90% to a maximum of €30,000 for communities and at 75% for private promoters.
In the past, LEADER worked well with other public funding bodies, such as the CLÁR programme, ensuring the maximum amount of funds were made available to community projects. Unfortunately at present the operating rules prohibit LEADER from co-funding with other public agencies, however we are hoping to get this rule changed to allow cooperation with Statutory Agencies to address the urgent economic and social needs in rural areas.
The new LEADER programme is being delivered through Axis 3 and Axis 4 of the EAFRD and IRD Duhallow's Strategic focus is to make the best use of our natural and cultural resources through four main pillars: Human, Cultural, Economic and Environmental resource development. In human terms, we believe that the essential ingredients for a thriving rural community are community ownership and management of local assets, stronger local governance and effective community action planning and strong social networks founded on high levels of volunteering and skilled support. Through cultural development, we aim to build on Duhallow's position as a tourism destination. For economic development, our primary objective is to fully realise Duhallow's potential to become self sustaining by encouraging and fostering entrepreneurship, business development and expansion and finally focussing on environmental resource development, IRD Duhallow plans to support the development of eco-tourism attractions, promote conservation ensuring flourishing natural environmental resources.
| Axes 3 & 4 |
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The broad objective of LEADER is to improve the quality of life in Duhallow and encourage diversification of economic activity including support for non-agricultural activities. The programme is subdivided into a number of measures outlined below: |
- Diversification in Non Agricultural Activities aims to increase the percentage of holdings where the fixed assets of the farm are utilised in any non agricultural activity by a member of the farm for economic gain and will include such activities as the provision of tourism facilities, development of niche tourism or the development of farm shops.
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- Support for Business Creation & Development strives to position Duhallow to provide economic activity of sufficient mass to attract people to live and work in the area. Eligible projects will include creation of small rural enterprise space, assistance for business start up, development of innovative products, utilisation of ICT capacity and actions to foster entrepreneurship.
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- Encouragement of Tourism Activities aims to promote sustainable, regionally balanced, tourism potential of Duhallow through the provision of neccessary infrastructure and development of the countryside as a resource for everyone.
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- Basic Services for the economy and rural population aims to identify and provide appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to Duhallow communities and will include amenity and leisure facilities, supports for cultural activities, general community and recreational infrastructure.
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- Village Renewal and Development will enhance the economic and social attractiveness of villages, small towns and the surrounding countryside and will include access to facilities and amenities, public utilities and farmers markets.
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- Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage will include actions to preserve and develop vernacular architecture; crafts and archaeology, cultural traditions, community environment projects, and integrated plans for development of locally significant natural areas.
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- Training will provide general/specialised training courses, flexible learning opportunities, and the development of training facilities and the facilitation of distant learning.
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