SOMERSET LEADER PROGRAMMES
The LEADER programmes are part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2014-2020. There are five programmes covering the county of Somerset – Heart of Wessex, West of England, Levels & Moors, Making It Local and Western Somerset.
Each area has slightly different local objectives, however each encompasses the six programme priorities:
- Support for increasing farm productivity
- Support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversification
- Support for rural tourism
- Provision of rural services
- Support for cultural and heritage activity
- Support for increasing forestry productivity
LEADER uses local knowledge to promote a joined-up ‘bottom up’ community-led delivery of RDP grants. In England this is being delivered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) and it targets rural areas with specific needs and priorities.
LEADER is an established method of delivering RDPE funds at a local level. LEADER is a (French) acronym which translates to ‘Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development’.
A Local Action Group brings together individuals from local public, private and civil sectors that have been delegated powers of strategy and delivery. Through an agreed Local Development Strategy LAGs are able to tackle important local priorities in a locally specific, innovative and participative way.
For further information please click on your area of the map.