Communities leading on development of Local Area Plans for LEADER Programme
Communities across the Highlands are in the
process of developing Action Plans outlining local priorities for the LEADER
2014-2020 Programme expected to launch in late Autumn 2015.
LEADER is an EU Fund aimed at promoting economic and community development
within rural areas. The fund is community led with decision making on local
development priorities taken by local groups. The programme will be delivered
at a local level through seven Local Area Partnerships: Caithness; Sutherland;
Skye; Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh; Lochaber; Inner Moray Firth
North; and Inner Moray Firth South.
Steering groups have been set up in each Local Area Partnership area comprising
of individuals interested in community development, and those representing
community groups and/or key business sectors. The Steering Groups have begun
the process of developing Local Area Action Plans by determining local
priorities.
Once Local Area Actions Plans have been drafted, these will be presented to the
Strategic Local Action Group (LAG) responsible for the overall management and
delivery of the Highland LEADER Programme. Fiona Cameron, LEADER Programme
Manager said “Local Area Action Plans will be reviewed to ensure they will
support the delivery of the Local Development Strategy for Highland. The
Strategy, which was developed through a process of extensive community
engagement, was submitted to the Scottish Government as part of the LAG’s bid
to secure EU funds.”
Steering Groups will also consider the skills, knowledge and experience
required on each Local Area Partnership to deliver the LEADER Programme.
Nominations will be sought from individuals interested in facilitating the
delivery of the LEADER Programme. Frances Gunn, Vice Chair of the Strategic LAG
said “The structure of the LEADER Programme in the Highlands is directly
responsive to the large geographic of Highland and its high number of distinct
communities. The LEADER Programme aims to further empower local communities by
devolving budgets and decision making to Local Area Partnerships.”
Further updates will be made available on the Highland LEADER Programme website
www.highlandleader.com