Rural Development Programme England
(RDPE)
The LEADER approach is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
LEADER grants can support businesses, farmers, foresters, land managers and communities for projects that create jobs and growth and benefit the rural economy.
Funding is distributed through Local Action Groups (LAGs) made up of local people from local public and private sectors and civil society. The word 'LEADER' is a French acronym which translates as 'Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development'. Using this approach, LAGs are able to prioritise and tackle important local issues.
The County Council has successfully bid for LEADER funding to support activity across the whole of rural Lincolnshire and will distribute funds through four Local Action Groups:
Coastal Action Zone LAG covering the coastal area of East Lincolnshire (north of Boston Borough)
Kestevens LAG covering West Lincolnshire (South of Lincoln)
Lindsey Action Zone LAG covering the Wolds countryside and market towns and West Lindsey
Wash Fens LAG covering South East Lincolnshire
Within the Greater Lincolnshire Area there is also a fifth Local Action Group, Northern Lincolnshire LAG. Contact: Shalon Perkins, North Lincolnshire Council, Tel: 01724 297768
Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: "Lincolnshire is a predominantly rural county, and programmes like this are vital for supporting our small businesses. Three of these groups have already delivered £6.9 million of LEADER funding during 2007 to 2013, making a real difference to their local area. And I'm sure the new Kestevens LAG will be equally as successful".
Applying for Funding
To be successful applications must contribute to one or more of the 6 LEADER priorities:
- Support for Micro and Small Businesses and Farm Diversification
- Support for Rural Tourism
- Increasing Farming Productivity
- Increasing Forestry Productivity
- Support for Natural and Cultural Heritage
- Provision of Rural Services
Use the download section below to find out which LEADER group covers your area and to access more detail on their individual pages and websites.
NB. Large urban towns are not eligible for RDPE (Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Spalding) but the LAG boundaries extend right up to the edges of these areas.
