Does My Business Qualify?

Rural based businesses such as sole traders, partnerships, micro enterprises and SMEs can and are encouraged to make applications to the LEADER Rural Development programme. Rural businesses can make applications under the Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Theme as well as the Rural Environment Theme. SME’s are defined as employing up to but not above 250 people with a turnover of less than €50m.

Criteria

Do I Qualify?

If you are a member of a farming family wishing to diversify into new activities including Artisan Foods, Rural Tourism, Farm Shop, you can apply for funding to the LEADER Rural Development Programme.

Criteria

• Must be located within the boundaries of the operational area. Please find map HERE
• Must be compliant with the Local Development Strategy.
• An application must fit with one or more of the 3 themes to be eligible. Find out more about the themes HERE
• There is no alternative source of funding available.
• Capacity to deliver the project has to be demonstrated.
• Evidence of proposed matching funding.

Grant Rates

The grant rates that farm families can apply for is up to a maximum of 75% this is at the discretion of the LAG. A grant rate of up to 75% can be applied for in relation to Analysis and Development projects. Again this is at the discretion of the LAG. Finally Rural Businesses can apply for up to 100% for training projects.

Eligible Projects

The LEADER Rural Development Programme is split into three themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. An application must fit with one or more of the themes to be eligible. The themes reflect the key challenges facing rural Ireland, with regard to economic recovery, employment creation, tackling social exclusion and reducing the impact of global warming and resource depletion. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes, which are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities.

Do We Qualify ?

Community/Volunteer Groups can apply to the LEADER Programme. Groups have to be fully constituted and registered with the PPN (Public Participation Network) within their county.

Find Out More Here:

Fingal Public Participation Network

South Dublin County Public Participation Network

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network

Registered Charities can also apply but will have to furnish details of their charitable status. Groups can make applications under the Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Theme, Social Inclusion theme as well as the Rural Environment Theme.

Criteria

• Must be located within the boundaries of the operational area. Please find map HERE
• Must be compliant with the Local Development Strategy.
• An application must fit with one or more of the 3 themes to be eligible. Find out more about the themes HERE
• There is no alternative source of funding available.
• Capacity to deliver the project has to be demonstrated.
• Evidence of proposed matching funding.

Grant Rates

The grant rates that Community Groups can apply for is up to a maximum of 75% this is at the discretion of the LAG. A grant rate of up to 90% can be applied for in relation to Analysis and Development projects. Again this is at the discretion of the LAG. Finally Community Groups can apply for up to 100% for training projects.

Eligible Projects

The LEADER Rural Development Programme is split into three themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. An application must fit with one or more of the themes to be eligible. The themes reflect the key challenges facing rural Ireland, with regard to economic recovery, employment creation, tackling social exclusion and reducing the impact of global warming and resource depletion. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes, which are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities.

Do We Qualify ?

Social enterprises can and are encouraged to make applications to the LEADER Rural Development programme. Social enterprises can make applications under the Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Theme, the Social Inclusion theme and the Rural Environment Theme.

What Are Social Enterprises ?

• Social Enterprises are organisations or businesses set up to tackle social, economic or environmental issues.
• Driven primarily by social and/or environmental motives, they engage in trading or commercial activities to pursue these objectives and produce social and community gain.
• Profits or surpluses generated by the enterprise are reinvested to further their social objectives.
• Ownership of the enterprise is within a community, or amongst people with a shared interest.
• Social enterprises have a strong job creation focus to help local people and communities.
• Social Enterprises are committed to social justice and social inclusion.

• Must be located within the boundaries of the operational area. Please find map HERE
• Must be compliant with the Local Development Strategy.
• An application must fit with one or more of the 3 themes to be eligible. Find out more about the themes HERE
• There is no alternative source of funding available.
• Capacity to deliver the project has to be demonstrated.
• Evidence of proposed matching funding.

Grant Rates

The grant rates that Social Enterprises can apply for is up to a maximum of 75%. This is at the discretion of the LAG. A grant rate of up to 75% can be applied for in relation to Analysis and Development projects. Again this is at the discretion of the LAG. Finally Social Enterprises can apply for up to 100% for training projects.

Eligible Projects

The LEADER Rural Development Programme is split into three themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. An application must fit with one or more of the themes to be eligible. The themes reflect the key challenges facing rural Ireland, with regard to economic recovery, employment creation, tackling social exclusion and reducing the impact of global warming and resource depletion. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes, which are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities.