External Strategy
LEADER Innse Gall
What is LEADER?
LEADER - Liason Entre Actions de Dèveloppment Èconomique urale
or Links between Activities Developing Rural Communities.
LEADER is part of the SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme) allocation and is a bottom-up method of delivering support for rural development. Support is primarily aimed at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature. Vitally the benefits and participation of the local community in the project is fundamental to the LEADER ethos.
Funding is awarded by the LEADER Innse Gall Local Action Group (LAG) who take decisions on projects that assist in increasing the capacity of the local rural community and business networks by building knowledge and skills, and encouraging innovation and co-operation to tackle local development priorities.
The LEADER Innse Gall programme will strive to create sustainable economic activities that will generate demand and open opportunities to attract and retain the population. Innovative and ambitious projects will be encouraged, especially those that stimulate the creation of new jobs and the growth of the resident working age. Particular areas such as renewable energy and remote telecommunications, where the Outer Hebrides have a specific natural advantage, will be assisted and in sectors where it has a unique selling point such as Harris Tweed, the Gaelic language and culture.
Who Can Apply?
We can accept applications from the following groups provided that the projects main aim is to benefit the Outer Hebrides rural community through demonstrating economic, environmental, social and sustainable development:
- Properly Constituted Organisations
- Social Enterprises
- Micro or Small businesses
- Voluntary Organisations
- Public Sector Bodies
- Private individuals, business partnerships and capital companies where sponsored financially by public bodies, clubs and societies thus ensuring a wider community benefit rather than a pure economic benefit.
Which are the Target Groups?
In comparison to the previous LEADER+ programme LEADER Innse Gall has identified target groups and the submission of applications for projects focussing on these groups will be prioritised. This is because the LAG aims to reduce out-migration, provide better support networks, facilities, amenities and activities for the following key groups:
- Young People (up to 34 years of age)
- Women
- Elderly (over 65 years of age)
What is the aim of the LEADER Innse Gall programme?
The LEADER Innse Gall LAG were awarded £0.95m in LEADER funding and an additional £1.98m Convergence Funding in recognition of its status as a disadvantaged and remote area. Public consultation identified a number of key local issues and priorities, which resulted in the overall strategic aim of the LEADER Innse Gall Programme 2007- 2013 being to REVITALISE COMMUNITIES by addressing:
- geographical handicap, remoteness and peripherality
- economic fragility and job creation
- population decline, out-migration of young people
- empowering women
- inadequate community infrastructure and facilities
- Gaelic language and culture
- a sustainable natural environment, Agriculture and Crofting
- social inclusion and supporting vulnerable groups
Projects should be able to meet at least one of the strategic priorities of the LEADER Innse Gall Programme through:
- Promoting and supportting measures that help to reduce or redress the impact of geographical handicap, remoteness, peripherality, and barriers to inclusion, such as ICT initiatives that assist remotely located businesses and more communities that are peripheral in a wider context.
- Encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in our communities by supporting initiatives that strengthen and revitalise our communities, such as new community and social enterprises, and which foster a culture of development and create the conditions that will stimulate employment opportunities.
- Stemming or reversing declining population by implementing measures that will retain young people and women in particular, including support for young out-migrants who wish to return to this area by providing employment, educational and training opportunities. Advise and support ‘economic’ and ‘quality of life’ in-migrants to help them integrate successfully into our communities.
- Empowering women so that they are able to engage in activities that help them to overcome barriers to entering/re-entering training and/or employment and to provide a support network for women in the Outer Hebrides to combat social and geographical isolation.
- Strengthening and revitalising communities by improving community infrastructure and facilities, including support for social, leisure, sporting and recreational facilities.
- Strengthening Gaelic language and culture in all its facets and realise economic benefits for the region by promoting and supporting cultural tourism initiatives.
- Supporting initiatives which improve or enhance the environment, including support for community renewable projects, and initiatives which facilitate diversification from crofting, encouraging collaborative working in crofting communities, add value to local produce, and make innovative use of existing land.
- Reducing social exclusion and supporting vulnerable groups in our society by providing a diverse range of services and activities, which will improve their contribution to communities and enhance their quality of life.
What financial assistance is available?
THE LEADER CONTRIBUTION MUST BE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE PROJECT TO PROCEED.
LOCAL PROJECTS - (projects based within the Outer Hebrides):
- The maximum LEADER Innse Gall grant contribution will be up to 44% of the total eligible project costs.
CO-OPERATION PROJECTS - (the implementation of joint projects in partnership with other LEADER area’s in Scotland, the UK, and other area’s of the EU):
- These co-operation projects are eligible for a higher LEADER grant contribution rate of up to 70% of the total eligible costs.
ALL PROJECTS MUST CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING:
- Include a minimum beneficiary contribution of 5% eligible project costs (these include in-kind and own contributions, private or public sources which are met by the applicant).
- In-kind contributions may not exceed 25% of the overall cost of the project – all in-kind contributions should be costed (including property and volunteer time).
- The remaining funding requirement (match funding) can be acquired from non-EU public or private funding sources, including the Comhairle’s Capital Programme and Lottery funding.
- Public grant match funding should not exceed 95% of the project eligible costs, unless the applicant is a public organisation, if this is exceeded any reductions in funding will be made in the LEADER support.
- LEADER cannot be funded by any other SRDP programmes (including Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities).
- Projects with grant eligible costs of less than £1000 will not be funded.
- Show Equal Opportunities for all throughout the project’s life – there must be no inequality between women, men, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or geographical location.
- All match funding must be in place, and evidence provided, before work can commence on the project. Retrospective approval is not allowed.
The main types of LEADER funded projects fall into two categories:
Capital Physical Infrastructure such as Building works or material goods. This will also include the improvement of an existing asset/facility, a provision of a new asset/facility (e.g. environmental improvements, feasibility studies).
Revenue Provision of services and support activities. Cultural, educational, historical and social enterprise staff costs, training, support for a cultural festival.
How to Access Leader Funding
Application Process
- Initial enquiries are to be made to the LEADER Innse Gall officers or through completing an online Enquiry Form which will also be forwarded to the LEADER team. This form should contain the projects objectives, timescales and evidence of match funding.
- After assessing your enquiry form and if your project appears eligible for funding, after liaising with LEADER officers, you will be invited to complete an application form.
- The officers will assist potential applicants to understand the scope of the Programme and to develop eligible applications. Where projects do not receive funding or are ineligible, feedback will be provided and where appropriate, offer advice to redevelop the project, or advise on other possible funding sources. Officers will also liaise with Rural Priorities officers to ensure the project receives the most appropriate funding.
- The LEADER Innse Gall Local Action Group (LAG) will then assess your application and you will be notified of the decision as soon as it is confirmed. The LAG will electronically review and consider projects on a weekly basis with meetings being called as necessary. All approvals will be made available in the public domain.
- Successful applicants will then be provided with a claims pack and guidance notes on its quarterly completion. Projects will be constantly monitored from the date of the first claim and will continue for the period of the current LEADER programme.
- Claims must be made within 2 years of the project approval and evidence must be provided that the project has commenced within 3 months of approval. Beneficiaries need to inform the LAG as soon as there are any material changes in the project.
- If the project is liable to run for more than 2 years then it should be separated into phases.
For further information please contact:
Kathlene MacDonald
Outer Hebrides LEADER Co-ordinator
c/o Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Chief Executive’s Dept
Sandwick Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BW
Tel: +44 (0)1851 709418
Fax: +44 (0)1851 706022
e-mail: kathlene.macdonald@cne-siar.gov.uk
web : Leader Innse Gall
