The first step to applying for Dublin Rural LEADER funding is to get started. It’s like every journey, the hardest step is the first step.
While there are a number of steps involved before you get the funding in your hand, our team of advisors are here to help you every step of the way.
On this page, you will get more information on how to apply and the steps involved so you can be armed with as much information as you need before giving us a call on 01 807 4282 or email us. However, at any stage, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help.
1. ELIGIBILITY
There are a number of criteria that you must meet in order to apply. We have a full page dedicated to helping you
2. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
If you feel you meet the criteria, then the next step is to fill in an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
3. APPLICATION
Once you send in your application form, it’s out of your hands. You have done the best job you could and it’s over to the Evaluation Committee.
4. EVALUATION
The final decision rests with the Local Area Group (LAG). After evaluation, the project application will be sent to the LAG for approval.
5. APPROVAL
Once your project is approved, you will be issued with a contract. It’s an exciting time because your project will become a reality.
Eligibility Criteria
There are a number of criteria that you must tick in order to get started.
1. Are you located in the boundaries of our operational area?
The Dublin Rural LEADER programme can only help organisations, individuals and groups that reside in its operational area. Our geographical area encompasses the rural areas which surround the city of Dublin on three sides and is comprised of rural parts of the local authorities of Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, and South Dublin, all within the County of Dublin
Get more information on our geographic areas which contains views of the electoral divisions that are eligible for funding.
2. Are you compliant with the Local Development Strategy?
Dublin Rural LEADER programme supports local projects that contribute to the aims and objectives that is set out in the Local Development Strategy.
Click here to read the Dublin Rural LEADER LDS Strategy PDF, in particular pages 6 & 7.
3. Does your project fit into one (or more) of our themes?
We have three themes that we look to fund projects under. The themes have sub-themes so check them all out.
Theme 1 – Economic Development
Find out more detail about our three themes here.
4. Do you have an alternative source of funding?
Dublin Rural LEADER helps where there is no alternative source of funding. Have you exhausted other funding routes?
5. Do you have evidence of proposed matching funding?
You will have to show that you have evidence of matching the funding. Our matched funding goes from 50% to 75% and in some cases, 100%. You will have to show that you have the matched 50% or 25%.
6. Do you have the capacity to deliver the project?
We are always amazed at the creativity of community groups, business owners, start ups and individuals who have brilliant ideas. However, we are a very transparent organisation – you need to show us that you have the team and the plans in place to deliver on your project.
If you are unsure of any of these criteria, call us. If you think you have hit 5 out 6 or even 3 out of 6, get in touch. We can advise you, we’ve worked with lots of organisations over the last number of years and spoken to even more on the phone. The most important criteria however is the location.
Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
If you feel you meet the criteria, then the next step is to fill in an
Expression of Interest (EOI) form.
You have three ways to fill in the EOI form:
1. Click here to download the form.
2. Toward the bottom of this page, you can fill in your details online.
3. If you would prefer a hard copy form, contact the office and we can send one out.
What Happens When We Receive Your EOI Form
The EOI form is a quick-to-fill-in document, it’s really where you outline your idea. Once we receive your form, it will be reviewed by one of our Rural Development Officers.
Two things happen then:
1. If it’s deemed eligible, a Rural Development Officer will contact you and issue you with an application pack. The Rural Development Officer will help guide you in the application process and will offer assistance and support where necessary.
Please bear in mind that being invited to submit a Full Application is no guarantee of grant funding. The Full Application form asks for more detail about the project – building on the information given at the EOI Stage.
2. If it’s deemed ineligible, a Rural Development Officer will get in touch and explain why. They’ll also point you in the direction of alternative sources of funding, where possible.
Completion Guidance Notes
Failure to complete the EOI form completely will result in a delay in dealing with your application.
Here are some guidelines in order to expedite your application:
- Please complete the form in full. All fields are mandatory.
- An electronic application will speed up the process. However a signature is legally required and your application will be deemed complete when we receive the signed copy in the post. If you don’t have a printer let us know and we can arrange a time for you to come in and sign the form to assist with this process.
- The form along with any additional information you feel may be of relevance to your EOI can be posted or hand delivered to Dublin Rural LEADER at the address below.
- The form can also be completed electronically and e-mailed to: eharrington@fingalleaderpartnership.ie
- If you require assistance in completing this form, please contact our team on (01) 807 4282
- A Project Officer will contact you when your EOI has been reviewed.
The Full Application
The full Application is a detailed document where you write about the following:
- A description of your project, the main activities involved to develop it and any other parties involved.
- What specific need the project will meet?
- The areas of Innovation – the key areas of innovation of the project for example what is unique about this project? How will it stimulate the local area?
- The potential of job creation.
- The project proposed start and finish dates.
- How you will promote the project.
- What will happen if you don’t get funding.
If your project is deemed eligible after you filled in the Expression of Interest form, you will be invited to complete an application form.
An application pack containing an application form with a checklist detailing the required documentation to support your application will be sent to you.
You will be assigned a Rural Development Officer. They will help and guide you in the application process and will offer assistance and support where necessary.
Please note that being invited to submit a Full Application is no guarantee of grant funding. The Full Application form asks for more detail about the project – building on the information given at the EOI Stage.
Evaluation:
Once you send in your application form, it’s out of your hands.
You have done the best job you could and it’s over to the Evaluation Committee.
The application will to be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee. This is an autonomous committee to the LAG, made up of relevant industry experts to all sectors that the LEADER programme interacts with. It includes experienced public and private nominees with representation.
People who work and live in rural communities are best placed to decide whatever support is needed to facilitate development in their area.
Each member will score the project based on predetermined criteria and if the project receives 65% or higher it will be recommended for funding.
Approval
The final decision rests with the Local Area Group. After evaluation, the project application will be sent to the LAG for approval. They will take on board the recommendations of the evaluation committee but ultimately the LAG has final say on what projects are funded.
Once a decision has been made, a Rural Development Officer will be in touch with you about the next steps.
Completion
Once your project is approved, you will be issued with a contract. It’s an exciting time because your project will become a reality. There are a number of terms and conditions which your Development Officer will discuss with you. One thing to note here is that any expenditure incurred prior to the signing of the contract will be ineligible.
The contract will have a completion date of generally six months but this can be extended for larger or ongoing projects. (This will already have been mentioned within the application form).
A drawdown checklist will also be issued to you and the development officer will assist you in all aspects of the drawdown process.
Now you know more about the steps involved, contact us today. If you’re looking to expand your business, improve your community, wish to hire more staff or simply upskill, the Dublin Rural LEADER has the money to assist people like you to reach your full potential.
