Monaghan LEADER Funding Programme Now Open

The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 was launched by Minister Heather Humphreys TD on the 6th September, 2016, in Sliabh Beagh Hotel, Knockatallon. A total budget of €7.59 million has been allocated for implementation and delivery of the Monaghan LEADER Rural Development Programme will run until the end of 2020.

Monaghan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is the Local Action Group (LAG) and is the decision maker in respect of delivery of LEADER RDP 2014-2020. The LCDC has primary responsibility for co-ordinating, planning and overseeing local community development funding. Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd (MID) is the implementing partner and Monaghan County Council is the financial partner for the LEADER Programme 2014 – 2020. The Local Development Strategy sets out the parameters of the programme and will guide the delivery of LEADER for its duration. Monaghan LEADER aims to develop sustainable rural communities throughout the county, by promoting social inclusion, economic development and stimulating Enterprise, Tourism, and Community Services while protecting the natural and built heritage of the county. A total budget of €7.59 million has been awarded for implementation and delivery of the Monaghan LEADER Rural Development Programme until the end of 2020 to the Monaghan Local Action Group. The funding was awarded based on a Local Development Strategy (LDS) for Monaghan which sets out the priority areas for the programme. The priorities in the strategy were identified through consultation with the local community in late 2015.
The priorities for the Local Development Strategy are set out under the following headings & sub-themes;
• Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This includes the sub-themes; Rural Tourism, Enterprise Development, Rural Towns and Broadband
• Social Inclusion. This includes the sub-themes; Basic services targeted at hard to reach communities and Rural youth.
• Rural Environment. This includes sub-themes; Protection and sustainable use of water resources, Protection and improvement of local biodiversity and Development of Renewable Energy.

See more information here on the LEADER Application Process, Time-limited Calls, Summary of the Local Development Strategy and background information about Local Action Group