| Rural Development Programme 2007 -2013 |
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INTRODUCTION Funding towards LEADER-type activities in the 2007-2013 round of EU funding is part of the broader Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-13. This Programme was agreed by the EU Commission on July 24th 2007, it contains four Axes and has a budget of €5.778 billion over a 7 year period of which €2.339 billion will be funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural development (EARDF) and €3.438 billion by the National Exchequer. Axes 1 and 2 of the Programme (on-farm measures) are the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Axis 1 deals with Competitiveness and Axis 2 with improving the environment and the countryside. Axes 3 and 4 contain the funding available for the delivery of LEADER-type activities, which at €425.4m is almost treble the funding of €150m for the previous LEADER round. This additional funding is a realisation by the Commission of the need for greater funding for rural development to be allocated to non-agricultural supports. Axes 3 and 4/LEADER-type funding now accounts for 10% of the E.U. funding for rural development under Ireland’s Programme. The focus of Axis 3 of the Programme is on quality of life and diversification and the Government has decided that the measures it contains will be delivered using the LEADER methodology. This Axis is relevant to all rural dwellers, including farmers, particularly in view of the growth in part-time farming. The challenges in the wider context include the provision of alternative and suitable employment opportunities for people living in rural areas and a range of services that people now want and expect locally. In the Programme, actions centred on the wider rural community such as the development of rural enterprises based on local natural resources, tourism, village enhancement and environmental initiatives will be delivered in a manner that addresses these challenges and complements on-farm measures. The measures in the Programme remain consistent with the 1999 White Paper on Rural Development and its commitments relating to the economic and social well-being of rural communities.
The LEADER element of the NRD Programme: Activities Allowed and Rates of Aid are:-
OBJECTIVES The aim of Axis 3 is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification of the rural economy. This objective will be achieved by:
The aim of Axis 4 is to implement local development strategies consistent with the Programme with a view to achieving the objectives of one or more of the other Axes. The LEADER approach, developed through successive LEADER initiatives, will be used to deliver all the measures under Axes 3 & 4. This approach will comprise:
For further information please visit the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs website :- www.pobail.ie Please download a copy of the Rural Development Operating Rules for Axes 3 & 4:- rd_operating_rules Please download a copy of Waterford Leader Partnership Rural Development Plan for Axes 3 & 4:- WLP Rural Development Plan Website Version Please download a copy of the Amended CAP Rural Development 2007 -2013 :- Amended CAP Rural Developement 2007-2013
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| Last Updated on Friday, 11 June 2010 10:28 |
