LEADER in West Lothian

LEADER:

is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas

provides grants for projects that will benefit the rural communities of West Lothian

is an acronym for: Liaison Entre Actions pour le Developpement de L’Economie Rurale (Links between actions for the development of the rural economy)

funding programme runs until 2011/ 12

What is LEADER:

A bottom up method of delivering support for rural development. Aimed primarily at small scale, community driven pilot projects that are innovative in nature

Administered through a Local Action Group (LAG), with representatives from voluntary, community, youth and women’s groups as well as the main public sector bodies.

Two themes chosen for West Lothian:

Rural Community Capacity Revitalising Rural Communities

   

How Leader Works

WL Local Action Group

Advisory PanelCommunity PlanningPartnerships(Particularly Community

Regeneration Officers)

West Lothian LEADER

Project Officer

Project Proposals

What Areas Are Eligible? Areas Under 10,000 Population

Target Groups Young people – educational achievement varies for

the 14 to19 year old group The young, long-term unemployed – this group

faces particular challenges in relation to employability, requiring targeted assistance for entry to the job market through training, further education, job experience, apprenticeship schemes

Women – are particularly vulnerable to the fragility of part-time work and, for example, difficulties in accessing childcare and other services in the rural area

Target Groups

Micro-enterprises – small businesses are vital to a dynamic rural economy, however, they may face obstacles and challenges, especially in their initial development period

Social economy organisations – such as community development trusts and social enterprises need development support as they have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong and socially inclusive economy

Priorities and Projects

Action on persistent youth unemployment

Training in countryside and land based skills

Renewable energy production and associated

community benefits

Rural community transport initiatives

Action to improve the quality of rural employment

Finding new ways to engage the hard to reach

communities or groups

Priorities and Projects

Tourism, leisure and outdoor activities linked to rural

resources and Audit of rural facilities and resources

Business co-operation projects in marketing or

product development

Rural business diversification

Improving provision and access to information

services for rural communities

Progress so far in West Lothian Approval confirmed in February 2008.

Commenced April 2008 - £1.02m

Community consultations held in July-

Sept 2008

October 2008, potential projects identified

Launch and first project approvals in Nov.

2008

Progress so far in West Lothian Currently 14 projects approved, various durations

with award commitment of £353,105 and a further

£173,00 expected as a phase two of these.

Other projects currently under development

Half-way through programme, mid-term evaluation

Recession will have an effect on funding

opportunities, have to be proactive

Population growth remains healthy in the LEADER area

A shift in the growth of employment opportunities in West Lothian from manufacturing, banking, finance and insurance areas to other services, such as retail, and the construction sector

Wage levels in West Lothian still lag behind rest of Scotland

Signs of positive growth in the areas of tourism and food & drink with potential for growth in the energy sector

LEADER - changing issues (1)

LEADER - changing issues (2)

Unemployment, especially for the youth, has risen markedly in the last year with the rural areas hit hardest

Access to services for those without private transport in rural areas remains problematic

Scope for LEADER to explore issues on access to labour market opportunities for rural residents

Rise in rural benefit claimants Rural benefit claimants 2006-2009

5,500

6,000

6,500

7,000

Qtr 3

2006

Qtr 3

2007

Qtr 3

2008

Qtr 3

2009

No

. o

f b

en

efi

t c

laim

an

ts

Total rural benefitclaimants

Over the last four years, benefit claims increased by 12% in rural areas compared to 10% in all West Lothian

In the same period, youth benefit claims increased by 35% in rural areas compared to 23% in all West Lothian

Rise in rural youth unemployment

Rural youth unemployment 2006-2009

0200400600800

No

. of

you

th u

nem

plo

yed

(J

SA

)

Rural youth unemployment

Over the last four years, youth unemployment increased by 88% in rural areas compared to 68% for all West Lothian

Current Projects Community Chest Grant

Scheme Reach Out Celebrating Our Shale Oil

Heritage Battle of Linlithgow Bridge

Heritage Trail Polkemmet Country Park Fauldhouse Community

Hub Maximising Support for

Rural Businesses On-line database

Winchburgh Connected Fauldhouse Forest

Employability Project Rural Outreach

Counsellor For Young People

Blackburn &Seafield Credit Union

Armadale Unique Youth Space

Stoneyburn & Breich Valley Employment project

New territory for West Lothian

Initial progress generating projects was slow

Autumn 2009 - development work came to fruition

Greater emphasis on tackling youth unemployment and training issues

Challenges for the future

New responsibilities?

Ensuring projects operate to optimum

Claims and monitoring

Strengthening the LAG

More community-led projects

Conclusions