LEADER is part of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme, aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. It will replace the Leader+ programme 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. LEADER will account for 5% of the total SRDP allocation (around £38.5m). A further £19.2m will be available in the Highlands and Islands under Convergence Funds. Funding is awarded by Local Action Groups LAGs, who take decisions on projects which are community driven and have a wide community benefit. These LAGs are made up of representatives from:
The local council 
Local Enterprise Company
Business people
Other public agencies
Voluntary action groups
Community groups
A call was issued in summer 2007 for groups to express an interest in forming LAGs, a total of 16 groups were successful in attracting LEADER funding. Details of these groups, the amounts awarded and contact points are listed below;
Another 4 areas, Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Moray and Renfrewshire are expected to come forward in the second round, which opened in March, and sufficient funding has been withheld for this. This would allow virtual coverage of the whole of rural Scotland.
A generic application form has been drawn up and is available in word and pdf versions. An excel system will shortly be available, but in the meantime the attached forms can be used. Guidance notes are also attached.
Application Form ( word version) Application Form (pdf version) Application Form Guidance
Full Technical Guidance for LAGs has been completed and can be viewed here. It is subject to revision following the co-ordinators meeting on 12 May. This meeeting is being held in th Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. If you require more information please contact Lorraine.
Any publicity material relating to LEADER must contain logos for LEADER, the EU and the Scottish Government, in addition to any local branding.
Further details can be found by contacting the LEADER Team in the Scottish Government. Contact either;
Iain Matheson 0131 244 6180 iain.matheson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Mike Pow 0131 244 6180 mike.pow@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Lorriane McEwan 0131 244 4157 lorraine.mcewan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Address
Scottish Goverment Rural Directorate, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1YT
For further details, please see the LEADER information leaflet. The leaflet is also available in pdf format (340kb). This information is aimed principally at Local Action Groups. If you are an applicant organisation, you are welcome to browse through these pages, but please contact your LAG before completing any forms.
Links to individual LAG websites;
Argyll & The Islands www.argyllandtheislands.org.uk
Tyne Esk www.tyneesk.co.uk