Cork County Council Launches Online Survey seeking input for the Leader Rural Development Programme 2023 - 2027
Cork County Council’s North, South and West Cork Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in partnership with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, SECAD Partnership and Comhar na nOileán Teo are currently developing community-led Local Development Strategies (LDS) for each LCDC areas to deliver the next LEADER programme 2023 – 2027.
Communities, businesses, organisations and individuals are invited to get involved and share views on how the LEADER programme can best support rural and community development in their area.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins said,
Previous LEADER funding has improved the prosperity of both people and places throughout the county. I would like to encourage all individuals and groups to participate in this survey as all feedback is invaluable in the preparation of the Local Development Strategies. Your ideas and input will help to shape a vison for economic, social and environmental development.
The LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, an initiative designed to support rural development projects initiated at the local level to revitalise rural areas and create jobs.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey highlighted how LEADER is an example of the Council’s continuing dedication to local communities, “Through our 3 Local Development Committees, we are committed to improving the range and quality of community-based facilities which will assist in supporting job creation and providing the very best quality of life to our citizens.”
The current LEADER Programme 2014 – 202 supported a total of 350 projects to the value of €13.9M including a wide range of local and community projects across a diverse range of themes such as rural tourism, enterprise development, rural towns, access to broadband, services targeted at hard-to-reach communities, rural youth, food, protection and sustainable use of water resources, protection and improvement of local biodiversity and development of renewable energy.
An example of some completed projects in Cork County are:
North Cork: Dromahane Community Playground €97,370 grant
South Cork: Ringaskiddy Community Centre Upgrades €328,000 grant
West Cork: Wild Atlantic Glamping Project, Bere Island €151,000 grant
Closing Date for the survey is 30th June 2023
Find out more and complete the survey by clicking the button below.