£10M of European Funding for Highland Communities
Following the official launch of the Highland LEADER programme earlier today the way is now clear for communities across the Highlands to apply for £10 million of funding available to them over the next 5 years with a further £3 million available to assist strategic Highland-wide projects.
LEADER is a European Union fund aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. The Highland Council, on behalf of the Highland Community Planning Partnership is the lead partner for the programme.
Speaking at the Highland launch in Strathpeffer, Council Leader Michael Foxley who also sits on a Local Area Partnership Group in Lochaber said: “Today is very important for the Highlands as LEADER is going to be the key fund for community groups over the next four years. It is only by having strong, vibrant and sustainable communities that the whole Highlands can have the confidence and skills to face the challenging economic times ahead. I cannot over emphasis the importance community development plays in giving people who live and work in rural areas a chance to implement local projects. It is this vital role our communites play that has helped us shape our approach in the LEADER business plan, an approach which keeps local issues at the heart of the decision making process. Eleven Local Area Partnership groups have been formed to deliver LEADER locally and in order to bring projects to fruition they will be looking at priorities, needs and specific local issues when deciding on how the money is spent.
“It is important to the overall success of LEADER that the whole programme involves and is supported by other key public agencies and the voluntary sector which can provide invaluable experience, skills, advice, support and match funding.
To prepare for administering the funds, the eleven Local Area Partnership Groups which have been formed have been busy producing local development plans which will help them to prioritise the projects that are put forward to receive support.
These groups will work with a strategic Local Action Group but will keep control of their own budgets and will make the decisions on LEADER project applications in their area. Each group is made up from representatives from public, voluntary and private sectors in addition to representatives from the local community.
Initially 7 million will be allocated to the eleven Local Area Partnership Groups for the first 3 years of operation with a further £3 million once the £7m is committed and spent. The allocations have been based on area and population and is as follows:
Caithness - £955,025
Sutherland - £1,024,957
Tain and Easter Ross - £303,580
Cromarty Firth - £406,621
Dingwall and Seaforth - £393,378
Black Isle - £329,437
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh - £825,702
Skye - £477,752
Nairn - £388,941
Rural Inverness - £785,309
Lochaber - £1,036,725
Full information about the LEADER programme and details on how to apply for funding can be found by visiting the website www.highlandleader.com. The minimum grant award is £1,000 and the maximum award will be determined by Local Area Partnership Groups.
Councillor Foxley added: “This injection of European money can make a real difference and help people realise their ambitions to locally deliver projects and activities. Our job now is to encourage communities to put forward applications and make the most of this opportunity.”