Petition organised in Laois calling for the retention of LEADER funding
People in Laois are being asked to sign a petition for the retention of funding for the LEADER programme
AN appeal has been made to the people of Laois to rally behind a campaign calling for the retention of funding for the LEADER programme.
People in Laois are being asked to ensure the continued development of the county’s rural infrastructure by signing the petition calling on EU decision-makers to maintain funding for the LEADER programme.
LEADER, which is run locally by the Laois Partnership Company has had significant impact on rural communities in Laois over the years since it was introduced 34-years ago, and why people across the county are being asked to sign an online petition being run by international association ELARD.
CEO of Laois Partnership Company Caroline Lydon said: “LEADER has had a transformative impact on rural communities throughout the county. While many people might not even be aware of LEADER they have most certainly benefitted from it.
“One such beneficiary of the programme here in Laois is Camross Parish Development Association, who used their grant for the fit-out of a community building in the village as a multipurpose hub. Other recipients of LEADER funding are Ballykilcavan Brewery and Glamping Under the Stars, both of which have established themselves as thriving local businesses.”
She said: “We are asking people to take two minutes to sign the petition by Friday 6 June to help us to secure a strong future for Laois.”
Research, Policy and Rural Affairs Officer with the Local Development Companies Network Philip O’Donnell said: “The LEADER/CCLD (Community Led Local Development) programme has had a major positive impact on communities in Laois and around Ireland since it was implemented in 1991. It funds thousands of rural development projects, supporting jobs, tourism, young people, local infrastructure and more. What sets it apart from other funding mechanisms is that LEADER is much more than a grant-giving mechanism - it helps to build capacity and skills at local level to ensure that rural communities can meet the challenges of the future such as climate change, digital connectivity and how communities in counties like Laois can continue to innovate.”
The petition can be signed by logging onto https://elard.eu/petition_en/
