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Grants
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Details
of the next LEADER Programme will be provided when
available
Funding
under the LEADER + Programme has been exhausted and
there will be no further grant allocations made in
2005/06. Details of the next LEADER Programme will
be provided when available.
National
Rural Development Programme Eligible Measures
& Grant Rates
National
Rural Development Programme, period 2002-2006
The aim of the National Rural Development Programme
is to encourage and help rural people to think about
the long-term potential of their areas. It seeks to
encourage the implementation of linked, high quality,
original proposals for sustainable development designed
to encourage experimenting with new ways of:
• enhancing
the economic environment;
• reinforcing
the economic environment, in order to contribute to
job creation;
• improving
the organisational abilities of their communities;
The Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht
Affairs are the national authority responsible for
the programme in Ireland. The National Rural Development
Programme is a nation-wide programme, administered
locally by selected rural development organisations. |
Please
check the availability of funding under the various
measures prior to submitting an application as many
of the measures are closed.
Eligible Measures
An indicative list of eligible measures and
maximun grant rates under the National Rural Development
Programme is provided below. Grant rates are discretionary
- the maximun rates will not be offered in all cases.
| Training: |
Grant
aided: |
Provision
of training and education courses, specialised
training and Skills Enhancement, Flexible
learning , Distance Learning etc. e.g. Diploma
in Community Development Practice. |
Max
rate is 100% and 50% when enterprise based. |
Analysis
and Development: |
Grant
aided: |
Feasibility
studies and plans, Resource audits, Development
of prototype products and services.
e.g. Area Economic Development plans,
Village Enhancement Plans, Enterpridse Development
Plans, Analysis and market research, Consultancy. |
Community
80%, Private 50% Max grant=€7,500 |
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Capitals Grants: Grant
aided Max rate = 50% Max
grant = €65,000
• Innovative Rural Enterprises, Craft
Enterprises and local Services/Facilities
e.g.: Development of Eliigible Local Enterprise
and Services, Craft, Use of New Technologies,
New Product Development, Marketing ,Business
Development, Business Networks, Value Added
Production, etc.
• Exploitation of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries products:
e.g.:Development of alternative Farm
Enterprise, New product development, Use of new
technologies, Small scale processing, Value
added Production of Local Natural Resources etc.
• Enhancement of the Natural/Built/Social/Cultural
Environment:
e.g.: Amenity Enhancement, Cultural and Artistic
Creativity, Preservation and enhancement of Local
Heritage, Landscape and heritage restoration,
Landscape Management etc.
• Environmentally friendly
initiatives:
e.g.: Eco-labelling, Environmental Management,
Recycling, Sustainable Development, Landscaping,
Ecology initiatives, Eco-Counselling and Awareness,
Conservation Initiatives,etc.
Rural and Agricultural Tourism
Capitals Grants
• Upgrading of existing and development
of new Visitor Attractions and Facilities
Grant aid 50% Max
€65,000
• Upgrading of existing tourist
accommodation.
Grant aid 30% Max €40,000
• Restoration of old farmhouse
to Self Catering Accommodation
Grant aid 40% Max €40,000
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Marketing
Grants
• Individual Initiative
Grant aid 50% Max €10,000
• Group Initiative
Grant aid 50% Max €40,000
e.g.:New
Tourism Products, Facilities and Amenities, Specialist
Accommodation, Group Marketing, Niche Product Development,
Agri-Tourism, etc.
How
to Apply
Application
forms This together with a list of general
conditions can be obtained from our Arigna LEADER
office. Applications are accepted from individuals,
community groups, voluntary organisations and small
companies and co-operatives. Community-based proposals
are particularly welcome e.g. community development
associations, tourism groups, heritage groups, producer
and marketing groups, workers co-operatives, etc.
Matching FundsMatching
finance must be provided by the promotor as actual
money spent on the project. Voluntary labour is
acceptable as a source of private funding for community-based
projects subject to certain restrictions. The donation
of buildings, equipment or services free of charges
or at a moninal cost as part of a project may be
reckoned as private matching funds for community
based projects.
Project EvaluationProjects
will be assessed competitively due to the limited
amount of funds available. All applicants will be
screened to ensure that they are outside of the
scope of other funding agencies. In
evaluating projects for aid, particular emphasis
will be placed on the following:
- promotor's background and expertise
- viability of the project
- innovativeness of the project
- markets for the product / services and non-displacement
of existing enterprises
- potential for job creation
- benefit to the local area
Payments
are made on completion of the project and when all
the necessary documentation has been submitted.
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Types
of aid available
Aid
may take the form of:
- feasibility study grants
- capital grants
- marketing grants
- training grants
Exclusions
The following are excluded from LEADER aid:
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Purchase of land or buildings
- Purchase of second-hand equipment
- Purchase of motor vehicles or mobile equipment
- Working capital for enterprises
- Conventional retail or distributive services
- Investment in golf courses or hotels
- Conventional agricultural production
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