Longford Community Resources, a member of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) has welcomed the announcement by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development and Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, of an increased allocation of €70 million nationally in 2021 and 2022 for the LEADER Programme. The ILDN represents the 35 Local Development Companies who deliver the LEADER Programme nationally.
Welcoming the announcement, Adrian Greene, CEO of Longford Community Resources said; “Longford Community Resources and the ILDN have been calling recently for the Government to utilise funding available from the EU for Rural Development, for the purposes of LEADER. As the implementers of the LEADER Programme in County Longford we are greatly encouraged by today’s announcement of an increased allocation of €70 million nationally to the end of 2022.”
“The LEADER Programme offers the ideal vehicle for the delivery of development funding to rural areas in the most effective manner. The allocation of this increased funding will deliver critical stimulus to rural areas to help drive the post Covid recovery. Furthermore, the funding announced today will ensure that more vital projects in County Longford focused on climate change, digital transformation, remote working and enterprise development can be progressed in our rural communities to meet the expectations of the EU in terms of the requirements of its recovery funding criteria.”