If you are a local entrepreneur interested in establishing a business or part of a community group looking to offer or improve a service in a rural area we may be able to support you with project funding. West Cork Development Partnership is the local development company responsible for the delivery of the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2007-2013 in the West Cork area (view map of the area of operations).
We would urge you to make contact whether you are at a very early stage and need advice, training, mentoring or encouragement from people who know the challenges associated with rural enterprise development, or if you have a project which needs matching capital funding you should.
Funding can be secured up to €500,000 for community groups and €150,000 for any private promoter with eligible Farm based projects being in a position to apply for up to €200,000. The normal funding level for LEADER ranges from a couple of thousand euro to twenty or thirty thousand, the larger grants are the exception rather than the rule.
What is the RDP/LEADER Programme?
The Programme is part funded (55%) by the EU through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development and by the Irish national exchequer (45%). The overall objective for the programme is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification of the rural economy. This objective will be achieved by the following funding measures within the programme:
- Diversification by farming families into Non-Agricultural Activities
- Supporting the creation and development of micro-enterprises in the rural economy
- Encouraging rural tourism based on the sustainable development of natural resources and the cultural & natural heritage
- Basic services for the Economy & Rural Population
- Village and Countryside Renewal and Development
- Conservation and upgrading the rural heritage.
An equally important dimension of the programme is that delivery of the above measures is based on the LEADER approach. In particular the programme is delivered by a Local Action Group in line with an area based local development strategy. The strategy is implemented in a bottom-up fashion, i.e not programmed from the top down at national or EU level but based on local needs, circumstances and consultation. For this reason there will be subtle differences in the approach of local development groups around Ireland.
Who should I talk to?
We recommend that prior to making an application, however, you fill in this expression of interest form to see if your project is eligible and get advice on how to proceed. One of our development officers will respond to your enquiry as soon as we can (max. within 10 working days). If you’d like some advice before completing the form just give us a call on 023-8834035 and ask for the relevant contact below.
Lisa Cashman – Community, and Environment – email lisac @ wcdp.ie
Kevin Santry – Business Creation, Agri Diversification, Food – email kevin @ wcdp.ie
Jean O’Sullivan – Tourism and craft – email jean @ wcdp.ie
David Tuohy – Digital Media, Creative Media, Digital Business – email david @ wcdp.ie
Ivan McCutcheon – RDP Programme Manager – email ivan @wcdp.ie
Next Steps
Expression of interest form – give us a quick overview of your project and what stage you are at (Irish language version).
How do I make an application? - details of the application process, including forms.
What has been funded so far? – projects that have been allocated funding to date.
Funding policies – WCDP has defined it’s policy for certain project types.
Acknowledgement of funding – Logos & requirements to Acknowledge RDP/LEADER Assistance
