Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014-2020

The Rural Development (LEADER) Programme aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to encourage diversification of the rural economy. Under the current programme, local projects may be funded under three RDP themes and nine sub-themes as shown below

Theme 1: Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation

Sub Themes:

  • Rural Tourism
  • Enterprise Development
  • Rural Towns
  • Broadband

Theme 2: Social Inclusion

Sub Themes:

  • Basic Services Targeted at Hard to Reach Communities
  • Rural Youth

Theme 3: Rural Environment

Sub Themes:

  • Protection and Sustainable Use of Water Resources
  • Protection and Improvement of Local Biodiversity
  • Development of Renewable Energy

The programme will operate on the basis of two types of Calls which will be opened on a phased basis:

  • Targeted Calls for EOIs: Targeted periodic Calls for EOIs are issued to ensure that funding is targeted where it most delivers value, is awarded based on comparative assessment and secures equal opportunities for potential applicants.
  • Rolling Calls for EOIs: EOIs may be accepted on a “first come, first served” basis.

From 2018 onwards the majority of calls are operating on a rolling basis.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is the first step of this two-step LEADER application process. Fully completed EOI’s will be assessed for eligibility under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014-2020 and approved by the Limerick LCDC. Following eligibility assessment of EOI’s, applicants will be informed of the outcome. If the project is eligible in principle the applicant will be invited to make a formal application for funding. Applicants will be invited to engage and participate in a range of application support activities before completing and returning applications in line with the requirements as set out in each particular LEADER Funding Call and the LEADER Operation Rules. Please note timeline for approval of projects will be significantly longer than under previous programmes.

Copies of the Call Documents and Expressions of Interest Form can be requested from rdp@wlr.ie or by contacting one of the RDP Project Officers:

Katie Murray (Community Projects) on 069 66294

Caitriona Scully (Enterprise and Tourism Projects) on 069 66298 

Suzanne Rowley (Environmental Projects and Programme Coordinator) on 069 79114

Limerick Local and Community Development Committee (LCDC) is the Local Action Group (LAG) for County Limerick and is responsible for the management of the LEADER Local Development Strategy (LDS) in the county. West Limerick Resources CLG is its implementation partner in the West Limerick area and will deliver the majority of project and animation related actions associated with the implementation of the LDS including managing calls for proposals. Limerick City and County Council are the financial partner and secretariat.

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