Welcome to the Ayrshire LEADER website. On the site you will find lots of information on the LEADER Programme, who and how you can apply for funding and examples of projects that have been approved by the Local Action Group (LAG) so far. Should there be any information your require and cannot find on the website, please contact the LEADER office where we will be happy to help.
Groups seeking LEADER funds of between £1000 and £5000 can now apply anytime for funding,
closing dates are not applicable.
The same staged application process applies
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, Richard Lochead, announced the intention to increase the intervention rate to 90% for LEADER projects for one year only, commencing 1st January 2010, and at each Local Action Groups discretion. At present the Ayrshire Local Action Group have agreed to continue funding projects up to a maximum of 50% of total eligible project costs.
The aim of the mainland Ayrshire LEADER Programme is to build knowledge and skills within our rural communities, and encourage innovation and co-operation by supporting new and innovative projects which tackle local rural development issues..
LEADER is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP 2007-2013), a part-European funded programme aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. LEADER aims to help those active in rural Scotland to consider the long term potential of their area and unlock this potential through building confidence.
The Local Action Groups (LAG) aims to ensure this fund inspires, motivates and stimulates the communities of Ayrshire to work together in achieving a lasting legacy and contribute to the rejuvenation of rural communities, helping them meet challenges and grasp the opportunities.
The Ayrshire LEADER programme will run until 2013, investing £3.38m of grant funding over that period, with match funding brought forward on a project by project basis.
LEADER will be delivered through a local partnership known as the Ayrshire Local Action Group (LAG), made up of representatives from a wide variety of public and private organisations involved in rural development activities - look under scheduled LAG meetings for details of our members.
