THE YORKSHIRE DALES LOCAL ACTION GROUP LAUNCHES
LEADER
There is now the opportunity for local people in the Yorkshire
Dales area to directly benefit from LEADER funding that has been
secured from Yorkshire Forward as part of the Rural Development
Programme for England. The Yorkshire Dales Local Action Group is
pleased to announce that the LEADER programme is now open for
applications and more information can be found in the
"Call
for Projects - 2009" booklet
(PDF
1,850KB)
The Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group has £2.4
million to deliver regeneration activity over the next five years.
The decisions about where the funding is spent is to be very
much in the hands of local people. The Local Action Group, of over
50 individuals representing the interests and communities of the
Yorkshire Dales, will provide a steer, with a Management group of
16 appointed and elected members making decisions on where the
funding is allocated.
Key priorities for the area are around creating stronger
communities through innovative community service provision,
capitalising on the environment, and encouraging economic growth
and employment. Funding and support is also available for
collaborative projects linking with other UK groups and
Europe.
In partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, the
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is managing the LEADER
programme through Project Co-ordinator Rima Berry. David Sharrod,
Director of the YDMT Management Team, said "The Local Action Group
has done a fantastic job in guiding and launching the Yorkshire
Dales LEADER programme. The commitment of all those involved and
the strength of the LEADER partnership clearly demonstrates support
for the LEADER approach to economic development in the Dales. One
of the biggest benefits of LEADER is its capacity to support
innovative and multi-functional solutions, be it through provision
of sustainable rural community services, cultural development or
environmental enhancement. It is a great opportunity
for communities to develop initiatives that are relevant and
specific to their needs."
Potential project applicants should first contact the
Co-ordinator to discuss their projects. The first areas the Local
Action Group will look to fund through the LEADER approach will be;
improving and retaining community service provision, research
supporting the community and sustainable rural businesses,
development and enhancement of village infrastructure and actions
conserving the culture, heritage and environment.
More details on the LEADER programme priorities and what the
programme will achieve for our area can be found on the YDMT
website (ydmt.org). If you are interested in the work of the
Yorkshire Dales Local Action Group please contact the
Co-ordinator on 015242 51002 or email
rima.berry@ydmt.org .
Note to News desk
1. The Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action
Group is a multi-agency partnership which brings together
representatives from voluntary sector organisations, public bodies
and private businesses working in the Yorkshire Dales LEADER area.
Key agencies include the YDMT, YDNPA, Rural Action Yorkshire,
Nidderdale AONB, Harrogate Borough Council, Hambleton District
Council, Richmondshire District Council, Craven District Council
and North Yorkshire County Council .
2. The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a
charity, formed in 1997 to support the environmental, social and
economic well-being of the Yorkshire Dales. Since 1997
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust has undertaken more than 700
conservation, heritage and education projects worth over £16
million and has recruited over 35,000 supporters.
The Trust's current work includes:
- Administration of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Authority's Sustainable Development Fund, North Yorkshire County
Council's North Yorkshire Aggregates Levy Scheme and the Grassroots
Grant Scheme.
- Hay Time project - a five year project set up in
2006 aiming to conserve, enhance and restore species-rich,
traditionally managed hay meadows in the Yorkshire Dales and
North Pennines AONB.
- Dales Woodland Restoration A four year scheme aiming to
plant thousands of native broadleaved trees, restoring woodlands
over a total area of around 300 hectares. This scheme has
received funding from various sources including YDNPA, Sita,
Forestry Commission and Natural England's 'Countdown 2010
fund'.
3. 'LEADER' is an initiative for assisting rural communities to
improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local
area. The funding is being made available through the Rural
Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra
and the European Union, and is managed by Yorkshire Forward in the
Yorkshire & Humber region. LEADER is an acronym for "Liaison
Entre Actions pour le Développement de l'Economie Rural3
(Linkages between rural economic actions and activities).