Future of Leader
The Future of Louth LEADER


Introduction to LEADER 2007- 2013

Louth LEADER is preparing a submission for the new LEADER programme and will be applying for a rural development budget of approximately €12 million for Louth.

€461 million has been allocated nationally for the LEADER Programme 2007 – 2013, which is effectively a trebling of the LEADER budget in the 2000 – 2006 period.  

Measures or areas of support LEADER 2007 - 2013

  • Diversification into non- agricultural activities
  • Support for business creation and development
  • Encouragement of tourism activities
  • Basic services for the economy and rural population
  • Village renewal and development
  • Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage
  • Training
  • Implementing cooperation projects between national and international LEADER groups

Following are explanations of the various measures and some sample type projects, which may be considered for funding:

Diversification into non-agricultural activities

Aim: To significantly 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 household for economic gain.
Target Group: A member of the farm household
Common actions may include:
  • Provision of tourism facilities
  • Development of niche & educational services
  • Development of farm shops
Support for Business Creation and Development

Aim: To position rural areas to provide economic activity of sufficient mass to attract people to live and work there and to offer a counter- balance to the Gateway Spatial Strategy (NSS)
Common actions may include    
  • Small rural enterprise space & assistance for start-up/expansion of existing enterprises
  • Development of innovative products & community services
  • Assistance for adding value to local products e.g. support for business networks, collective marketing, local branding initiatives & development of artisan processing facilities
  • Utillisation of local ICT capacity will also be supported, where appropriate
  • Action to foster entrepreneurship particularly with support for research & analysis development
Encouragement of Tourism Activities

Aim: To maximise the sustainable regionally-balanced tourism potential of all rural areas through provision of necessary infrastructure and development of the countryside as a resource for all
Common actions may include  - Provision of infrastructural need for tourism including:
  • Paths for walking, rambling, pony/horse-trekking, cycling etc.
  • River/canal routes
  • Tracks and designated areas for mountain-biking
  • Rock climbing areas &facilities for bird-watching
  • Areas for water-sports such as angling, kayaking, sailing, surfing, windsurfing
  • Provision, management and maintenance of strategically located car parks & infrastructure to facilitate tourist activity
  • Development of the use of forests for countryside recreation
  • Development of niche tourism such as arts and crafts, specialty food provision, eco-tourism, open farms etc.
  • Development of information systems to inform tourists of the location of facilities and services using the Internet and local information points.
  • Development of the use of the Internet and e-commerce facilities in general for the provision of booking and information services to tourists
Basic services for the economy and Rural Population

Aim: To identify and provide to local communities appropriate cultural and leisure facilities not otherwise available to them
Common actions may include
  • Amenity and leisure facilities
  • Support for cultural activities.
  • Certain arts facilities
  • General community and recreational infrastructure
  • To provide appropriate small-scale infrastructure to enhance the economic and social attractiveness of villages, small towns and the surrounding countryside
Village Renewal and Development

Environmental upgrading e.g. upgrading parks, civic areas, river walks, etc.
Common actions may include
  • Access to facilities & amenities
  • Public utilities such as street lighting
  • General surface upgrading and renovation of derelict buildings
  • Farmers markets
  • Other small-scale infrastructure
Conservation and Upgrading of Rural Heritage

Aim: To provide an integrated approach to the protection of local heritage through a suite of related preservation actions, complemented by a range of initiatives designed to develop the sustainable economic contribution of the natural heritage
Common actions may include
  • Actions to preserve & develop vernacular architecture, crafts, archaeology, cultural traditions etc.
  • Restoration &development of locally significant natural areas, features and areas of environmental significance
  • Community environmental actions to protect and restore the amenity value of local water resources and high value nature areas. Other environmental initiatives aimed at waste reduction.
  • Alternative or renewable energy actions addressing suitability of new technologies to meet community energy needs; awareness actions for community groups and capital assistance to groups adopting such technology.
Training and Information Measure

Aim: To equip rural dwellers and communities with the appropriate range of skills and training to drive maximum social and economic benefit
Common actions may include:
  • Provision of general/specialised training courses linked to the increased use of know-how and new technologies to make products and services in rural areas more competitive.
  • Provision of flexible learning opportunities in new technology for women, young people and minority groups in particular
  • Development of training facilities in rural areas (fixed/mobile)
  • Facilitation of distance learning Provision of relevant training courses to those wishing to add value to local products, via collective actions
  • Developing the capacity of rural dwellers to utilise ICT


LOUTH LEADER  Market Street, Ardee, Co. Louth.   Tel: +353 (0)41 685 6804   Fax: +353 (0)41 685 6787   Email: info@louthleader.com

Louth LEADER - Administrators of the EU LEADER+ and National Rural Development Programmes. Funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan, 2000 - 2006. LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Development de l'Economie Rurale)