Training

LEADER funding is available when specially commissioned training is required to meet new and emerging training needs.  Existing training courses available locally, though FAS, VEC etc., should be availed of in the first instance and other funding sources should be exhausted before LEADER considers an application in the training area.   Up to 100% funding is available.

Some training grant-aided by Louth LEADER during the past year includes:

Tourism Hospitality and Certificate in Tourism Marketing, both in conjunction with CERT
Craft Skills Development Programme.
Diploma in Rural Development

Analysis and Development e.g. feasibility studies
Funding for feasibility studies is only available where the need is essential; for example it could include the development of a prototype product.  Amounts ranging from 50% to 80% of costs are available, (this is limited to a maximum grant of  €7,500 per study).

Louth LEADER has provided a range of supports under the analysis and development area, and these include:

Renewable Energy Options Study, covering counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan. This study is to be undertaken in conjunction with Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Craft Audit for Louth – to ascertain the viability of a craft gallery and central marketing of our local craft products.
Village enhancement plans in Omeath and Blackrock
Rural tourism

Louth LEADER has placed a big emphasis in the development of new tourism product and the improvement of existing facilities and amenities.  One of the aims of this measure is to promote on-farm diversification and to provide farmers and rural dwellers with additional income.   Rates of aid for self-catering vary from between 30% to 40%; the higher rate is available for the refurbishment of disused farm buildings.

Some projects in the rural and agri-tourism sector include:

Improvements for an existin caravan park
A wide variety of new self-catering accommodation throughout the county for both farmers and other rural dwellers
Collective or group marketing grants are also available, and Louth LEADER continues to support the branding of Louth though production of brochures, Internet marketing and exhibitions.  Grants of up to 50% are available to support group marketing.

Innovative rural enterprise, craft enterprises and local services/facilities:

This is very broad-ranging area, where support for new and existing small enterprise is available.  Capital investment and marketing assistance (group only) is available for the craft, food and other locally innovative businesses and services.  Up to 50% grant aid is available.

Some examples of projects already supported in this sector include:

Expansion of an existing specialist bakery
Restoration of old buildings of character to provide a unique training facility and interpretative centre
Establishment of a sail training school, for young people primarily
Exploitation of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products

LEADER cannot support mainstream, or conventional agriculture, as the EU constraints the type of projects which may be grant-aided in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries area.  A project which involves ‘adding value’ to a product or the production of a new, niche product e.g. farmhouse cheese or fish processing etc., could warrant LEADER support.  Up to 50%, assistance is available.

Types of project supported by LEADER in this sector in the past have included:

Financing the development of a food-grade factory for the production of Bellingham Blue Cheese
New machinery for small dairy, producing farmhouse butter
Enhancement of natural/built/social/cultural environment

This sector aims to protect and enhance the environment, including the protection of flora and fauna, and also to enhance villages and local heritage, and also to promote and market heritage and cultural activity, including new festivals and events.  Up to 50% support is available.

Some projects supported in this area include:

Improvements in existing community facilities and halls
Village enhancement or small scale tidy towns’ initiatives, including several projects supported in conjunction with Louth County Council in Omeath, Carlingford and Greenore, under the CLAR initiative.
Environmentally Friendly Initiatives

This measure includes support for some of the following:

Alternative energy and renewable energy production
Waste management and recycling: new ways of methods incorporating new technologies to encourage increased and improved waste management techniques and recycling facilities.  Up to 50% of grant aid in available.
Transnational  and Inter-territorial
e.g.  business or community linkages with other areas in Ireland and in the EU.