Experience of Rural Development policies through a

bottom-up approach

Pat Moynan, Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Role of Managing Authority

Until 2002 LEADER managed by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

New Ministry of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs established in 2002

Rural Development Division responsible for all policy and operational issues relating to LEADER

Strength of community organisations

Historically, Ireland has had a strong base of community and rural development organisations

Self-help approach to resolving issues for farmers and for rural dwellers

Organisations emerged to tackle issues as varied as very heavy rural unemployment and common processing of agricultural produce

Emergence of LEADER LEADER pilot in Ireland started in 1991 Initially in 17 areas 1994-99 round of funding saw growth to cover all

areas which continued in the 2000-06 round 35 Area Based Groups and 3 national bodies

delivered the 2000-06 round At this stage the bottom-up philosophy of

LEADER is accepted as part of the rural landscape

Structure of GroupsGroups comprise at least 50 per cent

representatives from community and voluntary sector

Also include representatives of the social partners such as trade unions, business representatives and the farming organisations

Representatives from relevant state bodies and local government representatives also participate

How Groups operate Dept. issues rules which are based on the relevant EU

regulations Rules outline terms of eligibility of projects and other

requirements to ensure compliance with EU policies on areas such as Procurement, Equality and Information and Publicity

All projects are considered by Group’s Evaluation Committee which makes recommendations to the Board

How Groups operate

Board considers recommendation Ultimate decision is with the Board who operate in

an independent and impartial way Dept. does not sit on Board or seek to influence

the Board in any way Decision is for local board to make

Achievement of Groups

Groups have become very important economic and social actors in their communities

LEADER is the cornerstone of their activities Over time Groups have been allocated

responsibility for new national Programmes such as CLÁR, the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Supports Programme

Achievement of Groups

Groups also involved in other E.U. Programmes such as EQUAL, PEACE and Interreg.

Groups seen locally as well-managed and deliverers of services in a fair way to local communities

Future for LEADER in Ireland Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-

13 approved on July 24th 2007 Axis 3 and Axis 4 will be delivered by Local

Action Groups Budget for 2007-13 is €425.4m, almost treble the

funding available for the previous round Business plan evaluators to be appointed in early

October

Future for LEADER in Ireland

Business plans to be sought from prospective Local Action Groups in the near future

Hoped to have report with Minister before the end of this year

Proposal to Government in early 2008 Commencement of new Programme in Spring

2008

Formal procedures

Candidate must show an ability to define and implement a development strategy for the area

Coherent area coverage Candidates must submit a business plan for the

area

Formal procedures

Art. 62 of Reg. (EC) 1698/2005 Candidate must propose an integrated local

development model based on the LEADER approach.

Must have worked on a previous LEADER Programme or be a new group with partners from the various locally based socioeconomic sectors

Shape of new Programme New Programme will prioritise the following: Ongoing development of the rural/agri tourism sector,

the small food/artisan food producer, the craft sector, the implementation of the Countryside Recreation Strategy and general supports for rural enterprise

Co-operation with Northern Ireland Local Action Groups is expected to increase significantly

Will also ensure complementarity between Programme and other EU/National Programmes

Further information

www.pobail.iewww.ilsu.ie