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Menu   RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RDP) 2007 – 2013  
RDP Funding for 2007-2013
A total budget of €425 million for the Rural Development Programme from 2007-2013 is provided by the EU and the Department of CRGA. Longford Community Resources Ltd prepared a Business Plan for County Longford to access a portion of this budget for 6 years for a wide range of rural development work. Grant aid will vary from 50% to 75% of the project costs depending on the project involved. Maximum grant available will be €150,000 or €200,000 for a Flagship Project.

A Strategic Plan for the Rural Development Programme has been prepared, following community and agency consultations with a budget of €9 million sought from the Department of CRGA. A €8.7 million was secured to support the new Rural Development Programme at a far more operational level, an Advisory Council is proposed to be set up to support the implementation of the Rural Development Programme Strategic Plan. This will report to the Board of LCRL. However, strategic direction and policy development will continue to be the remit of the Board of LCRL.
Calls for "Expressions of Interest"

All potential Project Promoters seeking funding under the Rural Development Programme must complete an Expression of Interest Form and submit it to LCRL. Project Promoters will then be contacted by a member of LCRL staff who will help and give advice regarding the application process. To request a form, please contact the office at 043-3345555 / by email at enquiries@lcrl.ie or download by clicking Expression of Interest Form.

Please note that a completed Expression of Interest Form requires the following:

  • For capital projects, evidence of planning permission secured or applied for.
  • Written confirmation of access to all the project funding needed to undertake the project. (letter from bank or bank statement etc).
  • Length of time it will take to complete the project.
  • Will phased payments be sought and if so, specify the project phases.
  • For Small Business projects – Number of jobs created

An expression of interest form is not an application form and application forms will not be issued until this process is completed.

RDP Measures
Economic Activity – On Farm Diversification
  • Use of farm assets for any purpose other than agricultural activity
  • Farm Shops
  • Crafts
  • Agritourism
  • Value added enterprises
Economic Activity – Rural Enterprise
  • Small-scale enterprises and specialty foods
  • Innovative community enterprise services
  • Use of information technology, e.g. websites to develop and market business
  • Research, analysis and development grants
  • Grant aid for employment of a graduate over 2 years to assist the establishment of projects
Economic Activity – Rural Tourism
  • Develop local sites and physical infrastructure, e.g. car parks to support tourism amenities
  • Information systems and signage
  • Development and usage of forests for countrysite recreation, hill based, water based and environmental amenities
  • Marketing of individual tourism products and services
Quality of Life – Basic Services
  • Support for amenity and leisure infrastructure and activities
  • Develop general community facilities, e.g. Community Centres, recreational facilities with an emphasis on youth and elderly groups
  • Certain art facilities and playgrounds
  • Support for small Cultural Festivals & Summer Schools
  • Amenity signage, participation in Trade Shows, etc.
Quality of Life – Village and Countryside Enhancement
  • Improve public amenities and facilities, e.g. river walks, parks, etc.
  • Develop local village infrastructure such as paving, parking, renovation
  • Provision of mobile equipment
  • Support to Farmers Markets including utilities and hygiene requirements
Quality of Life – Upgrading of Local Heritage
  • Alternative energy initiatives at community level
  • Develop waste reduction and disposal projects at community level
  • Environmental projects to restore local waterways and areas of high natural value
  • Preserve rural crafts, restore old historical buildings, upgrade local heritage sites
  • Preserve cultural traditions, archaeology, etc.
General measures – Training/Skills/Animation
  • Training for new local needs to reflect the changing face of rural communities, e.g. migrant workers, etc.
  • Develop skills and an entrepreneurship culture in rural communities
  • Provide a strong emphasis on IT, e.g. computers, e-services and broadband
  • Access to all forms of Information Technology, mobile facilities, computer suites, etc., to redress remoteness and restore competitiveness
DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS

RDP Leaflet

RDP 2009-2013 Info. for Workshops

Expression of Interest Form

Application Checklist for Promoter

Frequently Asked Questions Sheet

Form of Consent

Glossary of Terms

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See How and Where to Save Energy Immediately!!

Longford Community Resources, as part of their research into energy efficiency in community buildings, are encouraging facilities to explore the one-to-one advice and mentoring to community groups from a Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) specialist energy advisor.  This free service from an appointed energy advisor can help and motivate groups to assess their own energy use, to identify opportunities for savings and to take action to realise these savings.

SEI offers these services for free.  All SEI ask for is a genuine commitment to energy saving, which is vital to the success of your energy management efforts.

The more committed an organisation is, the more SEI can help, and the greater the savings will be.  To register for advice check out www.sei.ie.  If you have a query please call SEI on 01 8082100
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Longford Community Resources Ltd
Longford Community Enterprise Centre, Templemichael, Ballinalee Road, Longford
Tel.: 043-3345555 Fax: 043-3344093 Email: enquiries@lcrl.ie

Updated 14th June, 2010