Rural Life

This element of the RDP is being delivered by seven Council Clusters using the LEADER approach. An EU-wide initiative, LEADER methodology uses local knowledge to enable a 'bottom-up', area-based, innovative and integrated community-led approach to the delivery of RDP funding in rural areas.

Council Clusters have facilitated the creation of Local Action Groups (LAG), which cover all sectors of the community. Local Development Strategies have also been developed setting out plans for their areas, including selection criteria for local projects. Each LAG will be responsible for delivering against their Local Development Strategy, selecting and funding projects which best meet the priorities for their area and support the delivery of their Strategy.

The opening and closing dates for schemes/programmes supported under the Rural Development Programme are advertised and promoted widely. Contact your Local Action Group for information on what is currently open for applications together with further details of each scheme/programme and how to apply. Contact details for Local Action Groups are available in the Local Action Group Contact section.

The application process is competitive, with assessment and selection of projects conducted by the Local Action Group. Successful applications will be issued with a contract (Letter of Offer), which, on return of a signed acceptance, allows eligible activities and expenditure to commence.

With the exception of the Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities, which is directed specifically at farmers and farm families, there will be a wide variety of opportunities available to both individuals and community groups.

Applicant businesses must be located in a rural area.

The types of projects that can be funded will be dictated by the Local Action Group’s Local Development Strategy. Each cluster will be required to deliver funding across all six previously mentioned elements.