Welcome to Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER

Latest News

03 March 2010
Next Scottish Rural Network events in the Forth Region
20 April 2010 - Corn Exchange, Cupar - 11am - 3pm "Local Produce and Rural Development"
18 May 2010 - Carbery Tower, Musselburgh - 1.30pm - 7pm "Tourism and Rural Development"

21 January 2010
Callander event attracts record numbers from across Forth Valley & Lomond area The Scottish Rural Network (SRN) event and LEADER Showcase which took place in Callander on 19th January attracted over 120 delegates.  Delegates were able to view displays put together by LEADER projects from across the area, ask questions and share ideas for new projects.  LEADER, the RPAC, SNH, Stirling Enterprise, Kit-Out the Park, the Councils, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the NFUS were also on hand for advice and information.  An event report, photos, and copies of all the presentations are available on www.ruralgateway.org.uk But don't worry if you couldn't make this event, as this was just one of four events taking place in the Forth Region, with the next one in Livingston on 24th February.

5 January 2010
Dereck Fowles awarded MBE in New Years Honours List for "services to communities in rural Scotland" in recognition of his work with LEADER. The Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group was delighted to hear that the hard work and dedication of their founding Chair was recognised in the recent New Years Honours List.  Dereck was instrumental in bringing LEADER to this area and overcoming the challenges with the transition from LEADER+ to LEADER. 

17 December 2009
90% or 50% intervention rate?
As a result of the volume of enquiries and applications to the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Programme to date, the Forth Valley and Lomond Local Action Group has considered the Cabinet Secretary's recent announcement regarding the increase to 90% intervention rate carefully, and with the absence of any further funding at present, has taken the reluctant decision to maintain the intervention rate at 50% for all projects.  This will be reviewed in April 2010.

17 November 2009
Rural Priorities - Update on Community Services and Facilities Option transfer to LEADER Guidance was published on October 6 that the Community Services and Facilities (CSF) option under Rural Priorities was being considered for transfer into the LEADER programme.  However, in response to concerns raised, it has been agreed that the RPACs (Regional Proposal Appraisal Committees) will continue to accept and progress CSF applications under Rural Priorities until the detail of this transfer has been agreed.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that projects containing CSF options which meet the January deadlines and information requirements can be assessed at the RPACs scheduled for March 2010, where the 90% grant rate announced by the Cabinet Secretary will apply.

Projects still in development should continue to follow Rural Priorities guidance and timescales, in consultation with Case Officers. Details on the arrangements for assessment beyond the March RPACs will be announced in due course.

In the meantime, work on transferring CSF into LEADER will continue . Further details on this process will be published on the SRDP website as they become available.

Funding  for Rural Broadband (from January 2010)
The Scottish Government announced earlier this Summer that funding for broadband would be allocated through LEADER.  We now have a little more information on this, and money will be available for new and upgrades of existing infrastructure related to making broadband available in rural areas.  Eligible applicants will be community groups, business groups and individuals.  There is still much detail to be agreed, but if you would like to be alerted as soon as we have further information, please email us on info@fvl.org.uk

Next Deadline for Applications
Applications for the next round of LEADER funding must be with the LEADER office by 16 February 2010

Fast track applications (under £5,000) can be submitted at any time.

LEADER is a rural development programme aimed at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.  

We assist those inspired to take forward innovative or pilot projects which are supported by the wider community. By awarding grants of up to 50% of eligible costs, we want to help you to improve the quality of life in your communities in rural Forth Valley and Lomond through projects which bring about revitalised communities and enhanced natural environments.  

Our area includes rural Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Stirling and part of West Dunbartonshire lying within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. (It excludes Alloa, Bo'ness, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Polmont, Stenhousemuir and Stirling City).

For a map of our eligible area click here.

To view our promotional  flyer click here.

The Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme is managed by a Local Action Group or LAG which brings together people from community organisations, rural businesses and public agencies.
Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER is one of twenty LEADER programmes currently operating throughout rural Scotland.

Funding of £2.77 million has been awarded to the Forth Valley and Lomond area as part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013. For a link to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) click here.
 

For the latest information on issues affecting rural Scotland, please refer to the Scottish Rural Network website