A total of €7.6 million in vital funding will be allocated to rural communities in East Galway as part of the commencement of the LEADER programme in the area.
Galway Rural Development has been delivering the initiative in Co Galway since 1994.
Delia Colahan, the CEO of Galway Rural Development, said it hopes to build on the success of the previous LEADER programme where more than 300 local projects received funding from a programme of over €12 million.
“LEADER is now a smaller programme nationally and there are changes to it, such as targeted calls for specific projects. But we are committed to making this LEADER programme as successful as its predecessor and will work closely with our Supporting Partner, Comhair na Oileain, to ensure the greatest impact for our communities.”
She outlined that Galway Rural Development is aware that rural communities are eager to access this funding for the benefit of local groups and organisations and is looking forward to working with them.
“With the opening of LEADER, expressions of interest for LEADER funding can be accepted. Completing an expression of interest form allows staff to engage with potential applicants, determine the project details and advise upon the next steps. This new form also acts as a record for all LEADER queries.”
The Expression of Interest form is available from Galway Rural Development’s main office in Athenry or by calling (091 ) 844335 or by logging on to www.grd.ie or by emailing [email protected]
LEADER will deliver €250 million into rural towns and villages right across the country until 2020.