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 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."
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.
The Yorkshire Dales Local Action Group is pleased to announce
that the LEADER programme is open for applications and more
information can be found in the
"Call for Projects - 2009" booklet (PDF
1,850KB). Further details on the LEADER programme
priorities and what the programme will achieve for our area can
also be found on the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust website at www.ydmt.org.
Potential project applicants should first contact the
Co-ordinator on 015242 51002 or at rima.berry@ydmt.org, to
discuss their projects.