GovWire

You can apply to your Local Action Group (LAG) for funding for projects that create jobs, help your business to grow, and benefit the rural economy, under the LEADER scheme.LEADER funding is delivered via LEADER LAGs and is available to local businesses, communities, farmers, foresters and land managers.

A total of 138 million is available in the England between 2015 and 2020 under the scheme.LEADER is part of the RDPE. It is a French acronym (Liaison Entre Actions de Dveloppement de lconomie Rurale) which roughly translates as Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development.

What projects are eligible

A LAG is made up of people from the local community and the local public and private sector.Each LAG decides which projects they will fund in their area. This depends on their priorities but all projects must support one or more of the 6 LEADER priorities. These are to:

• support micro and small businesses and farm diversification
• boost rural tourism
• increase farm productivity
• increase forestry productivity
• provide rural services
• provide cultural and heritage activities

How to apply

To find out more, and to apply, you should contact your LAG, or check their website, for information about:

• funding in your area
• funding priorities including the local development strategy
• how to apply for funding
• past projects
• LAG members

Contact your local action group

Find your LAG and contact details on the map or in the list.

Map of approved LEADER groups (PDF, 1.37MB, 1 page)

Approved Leader groups (PDF, 504KB, 12 pages)

In addition, LEADER and LEP boundaries have also been included on http://www.magic.gov.uk/. This website provides geographical information and is presented as an interactive map which can be explored using the various tools included.