Economic Development, Enterprise Development & Job Creation

Theme One LEADER RDP 2014 - 2010 Programme

Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation focuses on driving continued local economic and enterprise development, including the diversification of the rural economy and creation of employment opportunities for the local communities, including those from disadvantaged groups.

There are 4 sub-themes associated with this main LEADER Theme you can see an overview of each below.

1 - Rural Tourism

Rural tourism provides a stimulus for enterprise and job creation. Tourism tends to exploit particular assets that are generally place-specific, for example, landscape and history.

Accordingly, it offers significant potential, even in peripheral areas. Interventions under this sub-theme will focus on projects that have the potential to make the area more attractive for local, national and foreign visitors.

Examples of projects that maybe supported include:

feasibility studies to explore the tourism potential of an area;
marketing initiatives;
the creation of tourism hubs to facilitate a multi-sectoral approach,
activities that centre on the development and renovation of infrastructure, which contribute to historic and heritage based tourism. In exceptional circumstances, and in consultation with the Department, this may include private dwellings where this can be shown to contribute to historic and heritage based tourism;
actions that promote the development of cultural/heritage infrastructure of local significance and arts-based activities and events; and
the provision of amenity and leisure facilities, which can support adventure/eco-based tourism.

LEADER supported tourism projects must comply with relevant Fáilte Ireland or other sectoral standards.

2 - Enterprise Development

LEADER can support micro, small and medium enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC. Further guidance is available at – ec.europa.eu

Louth Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) have primary responsibility for micro-enterprise in County Louth. LEADER must complement rather than compete with LEO activity; effective systems of collaboration and consultation are required to ensure a co-ordinated and effective allocation of resources.

The respective areas of LEO and LEADER enterprise activity are outlined in the protocol between the Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This protocol applies nationally, but allows sufficient flexibility at a local level to facilitate project referral from LEOs to LAGs as appropriate.

Areas that might benefit most from LEADER support:

Artisan and other food businesses;
Renewable Energy;
Agri diversification;
Marine diversification (to complement support provided by Fisheries LAGs funded under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund);
Social Enterprises; and
Creative Industries, such as traditional crafts, new media and design.

Supported projects might include investment support or sector-specific training programmes for aspiring entrepreneurs, early stage promoters, social enterprises, start-ups and established SMEs. In the context of LEADER, developing inclusive models of business support will be key to realising the potential of groups who are underrepresented in enterprise, e.g. women, young people and people with disabilities.

3 - Rural Towns

This sub-theme supports the regeneration of rural towns. It seeks to promote them as attractive places to visit, live and do business in. LEADER is particularly suited to revitalising rural towns through co-ordination of integrated approaches that build on the economic strengths and infrastructure of the area whilst addressing the key challenges for business, community and recreation.

Projects to support the regeneration of rural towns might include:

Town renewal schemes that renovate derelict buildings in order to attract business to vacant properties;
The building or refurbishment of community buildings also provides a multifunctional infrastructure for social, cultural and sporting activities and training for the local community; and
Developing and promoting unique social events and activities can provide an important stimulus to rural towns.

LEADER projects in this area should complement and add value to other national supports for rural towns

Projects should be sustainable, and consider and incorporate all the needs of the area, i.e. standalone projects that deliver on one objective and do not seek to address multiple objectives should be avoided. Works that normally come within the remit of Louth County Council, such as large infrastructure projects, are not eligible for LEADER funding. Where it is not clear whether a project could be considered to come under the remit of the Louth County Council (e.g. ornamental street lighting or footpaths), we will consult with the Department before approving funding.

4 - Broadband

Increased access to reliable and high-speed broadband is vital for the economic and social development of rural areas and communities. High-quality broadband enables businesses to set-up or continue to be based in rural areas, by overcoming barriers relating to access to markets and services. There is also a potential to create additional employment as access to broadband can support businesses to grow.

This sub-theme may support local projects that complement national initiatives aimed at developing a comprehensive rural broadband infrastructure. This sub-theme does not cover most broadband infrastructure, as this is covered under the National Broadband Plan.

Projects that may include:

Basic ICT training to priority groups, for example, to enable older people and young people to stay connected;
Skills development for installing broadband;
Feasibility studies in relation to community broadband;
Small scale equipment (such as boosters); and
Small scale infrastructure to allow local businesses access broadband.

Funding in excess of €10,000 cannot be provided for broadband equipment or infrastructure.