What is the Rural Development Programme / LEADER?
The Rural Development Programme (widely known as LEADER) focuses on improving all aspects of social and economic life in rural areas. The Programme seeks to bring about positive change helping to develop and sustain rural areas for the better through supporting enterprise development and job creation, rural environment, promotion of social inclusion and economic development. The programme is implemented by South Tipperary Development Company (STDC) in the Municipal Districts of Cashel/Tipperary, Clonmel and Carrick on Suir.
Who can benefit from LEADER funding?
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- Individuals or a group of promoters who have a viable rural enterprise idea
- Rural Businesses looking to expand or diversify, or start a brand new business
- Farm Families looking to diversify into non-agricultural activities to supplement their farm income
- Community Groups promoting community enterprises, local amenity projects or community services
- Voluntary Organisations or special interest groups promoting social, cultural or environmental projects
- Partnerships promoting projects working with other organisations, including other Local Action Groups
What types of projects can be funded?
The criteria for funding are initially laid down by the EU and Government. Further details are available via http://www.drcd.gov.ie and http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020/index_en.htm
The Tipperary Local Community Development Committee consulted widely and drew up a Local Development Strategy setting out its main priorities for the county within that Framework. The full strategy can be viewed below and the updated action plan (May 2018) can also be downloaded. In 2021 a LEADER Transitional Programme was announced, and it has set key priorities relevant to Post COVID recovery and development.
The core themes are
- Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
- Social Inclusion
- Protecting the rural environment
At the moment, STDC are inviting projects under all Themes:
Interested parties should contact one of our development officers on (052) 7442652, or email info@stdc.ie to discuss their project idea.
What projects have been funded in Tipperary?
Communities, individuals and businesses have benefited from funding under the LEADER programme for projects such as
- Business expansion in the food, engineering, manufacturing and other areas.
- Community centre enhancements in Glengoole, Tipperary Town, New Inn, Clonmel, Carrick on Suir,
- Playground developments in Cappawhite, Cashel, Ardfinnan and Clonmel,
- Development of tourism amenities and promotion across Tipperary
- Arts, music and creative opportunities for young people.
- Biodiversity enhancement and training
For further information please download from these documents
Leaflet on the LEADER Transitional Programme
Leader Application Form
Expression of Interest Form
Tipperary Local Development Strategy 2014-2020
Local Development Strategy Action Plan – Amended May 2018
Request a Call Back from one of our Programme Officers:
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Note* Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), a sub-committee of Tipperary County Council, will manage and oversee the RDP on behalf of the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht. The programme will be delivered by the implementation partners, North Tipperary LEADER Partnership (NTLP) and South Tipperary Development Company (STDC), who will deal with all aspects of the programme on the ground, from answering general queries on the programme to facilitating and processing project applications. With respect to Tipperary, the NTLP will service the Municipal Districts of Nenagh and Thurles/Templemore in the context of its role as implementation partner. STDC will service the Borough District of Clonmel and the Municipal Districts of Tipperary/Cashel and Carrick on Suir in the context of its role as implementation partner.