Wicklow’s €5.3million LEADER Programme is open for applications

Wicklow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) formally launched the new 2023 – 2027 LEADER Programme for County Wicklow on June 19^th in Ballybeg House,Tinahely.

TV Chef and former LEADER recipient, Catherine Fulvio oversaw proceedings at this launch event, detailing her own experience of applying for LEADER funding and the positive impact it had on her now famous Ballyknocken Cookery School.

The launch event heard several previous LEADER recipients detail how the grant assistance they were successful in securing had such positive impacts on their businesses, communities and local environment.

The launch heard from farmer and cheese maker John Hempenstall of Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese who said that “Without the help and support of leader we wouldn’t be where we are today. It’s to helpful to have someone at the end of the phone to make sure you can get what you need. We’ve had a great experience”

Jim Rees of Arklow Maritime Museum noted that “Great thing about LEADER is the level of support you get from leader staff to make sure the project is delivered. We have a wonderful museum now thanks to LEADER. Our business has gone from 600/700 visitors a year to 5500 visitors a year since the expansion with LEADER support.”

An Tearmann Community Garden in Baltinglass was also supported by LEADER. Their chairperson Mary Vernon told the launch that “The leader staff have seen us through the process and they were invaluable. The garden is now accessible to people with varying abilities and allows nature and environmental action to be a cross community action”

Last year, Wicklow LCDC was invited by the Department of Rural and Community Development to design and develop a Local Development Strategy (LDS) to illustrate how LEADER funding would be allocated locally. After consideration by the Department’s selection committee, Wicklow LCDC was successful in securing the entire €5.3 million in LEADER funding available for County Wicklow.

Launching the programme, Chairperson of Wicklow LCDC Councillor Melanie Corrigan stated that “We did a broad consultation across county Wicklow, speaking to as many people we could and we are now excited about targeting the funding to the needs and projects that were identified in those consultations.”

County Wicklow Partnership (CWP) as implementing partner for the LEADER programme in County Wicklow is tasked with working with local community groups, businesses and individuals to bring their applications forward.

Alison Keogh, LEADER Co-ordinator for County Wicklow Partnership outlined what types of projects were strategically identified in Wicklow’s LDS and outlined details of public meetings that anyone in Wicklow was welcome to attend to see if their ideas might be eligible for LEADER funding.

CWP CEO Brian Carty also welcomed the launch of the LEADER programme in Wicklow stating, “CWP worked closely with Wicklow LCDC in the development of the Local Development Strategy and we are looking forward to implementing this strategy in partnership with local communities and actors.”. CWP Chairperson Liz Wall further elaborated, “We are looking forward to working with applicants from across Wicklow and especially looking to chat to people and groups who have never received LEADER funding before”.

Adding to this, Michael Nicholson Director of Services with Wicklow County Council stated, “Wicklow County Council partners with Wicklow LCDC and CWP in delivering the LEADER Programme locally and we are eager to begin the next round of targeted investments in Wicklow’s Community, Economy and Environment through the LEADER Programme”.

Those interested in learning more about how to apply for LEADER funding under the new programme are encouraged to visit the CWP website https://www.wicklowpartnership.ie/leader-rural-development-programme/ for a copy of the Expression of Interest form and to download the LEADER application handbook. Also, people are encouraged to contact CWP on info@wicklowpartnership.ie or call (0402) 20955 and ask to speak to a LEADER Development Officer.