Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today confirmed an extra €1.1M allocation to Donegal under the LEADER Programme.
The money is part of a final allocation of €20 million in funding for the period 2021-2022.
The allocation is part of the €70 million in funding announced in April, secured by Minister Humphreys, as part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year strategy designed to support rural communities in recovering from the impact of COVID-19.
The funding announced will see the development and enhancement of locally and rurally-led projects in areas such as enterprise development, climate change and the green, bio and circular economy.
It will also fund projects that maximise the potential of broadband and the digital economy in communities, with a particular focus on skills development and remote working.
LEADER in Donegal is administered by the Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC), Inishowen Development Partnership (DIP), Comhar na nOileán Teoranta and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Welcoming the release of the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“As we emerge from the Pandemic, this funding will support rural communities and enterprises across the country to adapt in a post COVID-19 environment.
“As laid out in ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s ambitious new policy for the development of Rural Ireland, the LEADER programme will play a key role in ensuring our rural communities are to the fore of our recovery.
“This funding will support locally-led projects and focus on many of the key themes detailed in ‘Our Rural Future’.
“These include embracing opportunities in the green economy, supporting remote working and the digital transformation, developing our outdoor amenities and creating jobs in rural areas.
“I urge all communities and local enterprises who wish to avail of this funding to make contact with their Local Action Group or its Implementing Partner to discuss how the LEADER Programme can assist their plans.”