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LEADER

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What is LEADER?

LEADER is part of the new Scotland Rural Development Programme, aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. It will replace the LEADER+ programme, a European-funded Community Initiative that ran from 2000 to 2006, and will encourage new and experimental approaches to rural development. LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support for rural development through implementing a local rural development strategy. Support will be aimed primarily at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.

The aim of LEADER is to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills, innovate and co-operate in order to tackle local development objectives.

What areas are eligible?

• The intention is to make the whole of rural Scotland eligible, including towns up to a population of 10,000.
• It will be administered through Local Action Groups ( LAGs) around the country, comprising representatives from the main community, youth, and women's groups in the area, together with representatives from the main public sector bodies.

Who can apply?

• Constituted community groups, social enterprises, micro or small businesses, voluntary organisations or public sector bodies with a project idea that will benefit the rural community can apply.
• Individuals who have public support for their project, submitting proposals which implement the local strategy can also apply in some cases. These projects will be community driven and will benefit a wide section of the community rather than an individual.

When and how can communities apply?

• The intention is to have selected Local Action Groups by the end of January 2008 or shortly after the SRDP has been approved. This will mean that LAGs will be ready to receive applications for projects early in 2008.
• Application forms for project funding will be available from your Local Action Group.
• In the meantime, to keep abreast of developments, potential Local Action Groups with a contact lead and geographic boundaries will be posted on the website www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp

These pages will also inform you how to contact the LAG where your project is. The Coordinator will be happy to discuss with you how your application fits with the approved strategy.

Do any restrictions apply?

Yes.

• Applicants will need to have matching funds, normally 50% or more of the total project cost. The LEADER grant cannot be released until you have this match funding in place. Since LEADER is aimed at community benefit it is expected that match funding will be largely form public bodies. Letters of intent from match funders will suffice. A minimum project cost of £1000 applies.
• The LAG coordinator will explain the conditions of grant and restrictions to you; however, detailed guidance for LAGs will be available on the website.

Where can I go for assistance or guidance?

You can seek assistance with your application from a Co-ordinator, who will be employed by each LAG to facilitate projects under LEADER working with community projects to develop these into a final application for the LAG to consider.

What information do I need to supply with the community application?

You will need to supply a variety of information, details of which will depend on the nature of each project coming forward - examples might be; details of the community Group and constitution, any planning permission or building warrant, estimates of equipment/services being provided, detailed proposals of the project including who is going to undertake the work, and letters of the communities own contribution and match funding being in place.

What will happen to the applications once they have been submitted?

The applications will go forward for consideration and decision by the LAG. LAGs tend to meet three or four times a year. Following the LAG meeting the proposal will either be approved or rejected and a letter issued from the LAG office. Payments on approved projects can be claimed when the money has been spent and projects are either complete or at a sufficiently completed stage to permit an interim payment to be processed. Claims will generally be paid within 4-6 weeks by a lead partner of the LAG - normally a Local Authority or Local Enterprise Company.

Where can I find more details about LEADER?

Web-based technical guidance will be available on the Scottish Government website www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp. Each LAG is expected to have its own website and display information about its local strategy and the type of projects they are seeking to implement.

What sort of commitment do I need from the community?

If a project is to have any success in gaining LEADER funding then it has to have the buy-in of the community including financial support from public agencies. Public agencies such as the Local Enterprise Companies or Local Authorities will recognise and support developments benefiting communities.

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