Leader +

Laois Rural Development Company

Pepper's Court
Portlaoise
Co. Laois

Web: www.laois-leader-rdc.ie
Email: info@laois-leader-rdc.ie
Tel: +353 (0)57 8661800
Fax: +353 (0)57 8661797

Longford Community Resources Ltd

Longford Enterprise Centre
Templemichael, Ballinalee Rd. Longford
Co. Longford

Web: www.lcrl.ie
Email: enquiries@lcrl.ie
Tel: +353 (0)43 45555
Fax: +353 (0)43 44093

Offaly Leader+ Company Ltd

Harbour St.
Tullamore
Co. Offaly

Web: www.offalyleader.ie
Email: admin@offalyleader.ie
Tel: +353 (0)57 9322850
Fax: +353 (0)57 9322851

Westmeath Community Development Ltd

Presentation House
Mullingar
Co. Westmeath

Web: www.westcd.ie
Email: westcd@iol.ie
Tel: +353 (0)44 9348571
Fax: +353 (0)44 9348441

A LEADER Group has been established in each Midlands County under the aegis of the EU LEADER Community Initiative. The function of the LEADER Groups is to make funding available to rural groups to implement a business plan. The LEADER Groups determine their own priorities and have decision-making authority in relation to grant-aiding local projects. The Business Plans cover investment in training, rural tourism, SMEs, marketing and processing of local produce, the environment and technical assistance (Including administration and animation costs).

There are 38 approved LEADER groups, the areas covered by which vary from being part of a county to encompassing a number of counties to national groups. The groups are autonomous legal entities operating under an agreement signed with the Department of Agriculture and Food . The Department encourages co-operation between LEADER groups and the state agencies, local agencies and local authorities in their areas. County Councils are represented at official level in a small number of the groups.

In the period 2000 - 2006 public funding of almost €150 million was allocated to the LEADER programmes, which were delivered in two ways:

The EU Initiative, LEADER+ (LEADER PLUS)
The National Rural Development Programme

For further information on LEADER in Ireland go to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs website.