Michael Ring TD, Minister for Regional Economic Development launched the Roscommon LEADER funding Programme in Castlerea on Thursday night.
The Roscommon Leader programme runs to 2020 and has over €8.8m in funding on offer.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the Trinity Arts Centre, the Minister said,” LEADER will fund enterprise development, job creation, rural tourism and recreation. In addition, it promotes social inclusion and basic services for hard to reach communities”
The Minister went on to say,” The new LEADER Programme provides a great opportunity to build on the projects of past LEADER Programmes throughout the County, to the benefit of County Roscommon and Rural Ireland generally. It also reaffirms this Government’s commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to rural Ireland.”
LEADER 2014- 2020 will be delivered through three main areas:
Theme 1: Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation.
Sub-themes: Rural Tourism, Enterprise Development, Rural Town and Broadband.
Theme 2: Social Inclusion
Sub-themes: Basic services targeted at hard to reach communities and Rural Youth.
Theme 3: Rural Environment
Sub-themes: Protection and sustainable use of water resources, Protection and improvement of local bio-diversity and Development of renewable energy.
LEADER is a funding initiative open to all! From community and voluntary groups to private individuals and small to medium enterprises, LEADER can offer grant aid and support to projects aiming to promote the quality of life and economic opportunities for Roscommon dwellers within the framework of the approved Local Development Strategy (LEADER Plan).
Make contact today
Commenting on the news Minister Denis Naughten called on promoters of local projects which can develop tourism, support existing employment or create new jobs to make an application to the local Roscommon LEADER fund. “There is no doubt that this funding programme will be oversubscribed so I would strongly urge anyone who may be interested to make contact today with Roscommon LEADER Partnership.”
For more information, please contact Roscommon LEADER Partnership on (090) 663 0252. Forms and further will be published on www.rosleaderpartnership.ie.