Welcome to Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER

Latest News For the most uptodate news 'Like' our Facebook Page facebook.com/fvlleader
 

17 May 2013
Community Green Initiave (CGI), Access For Wheels Project in Denny, Falkirk:- CGI are seeking tenders for undertaking the construction of a whin dust path (approx 100m) and an associated viewing/resting area (approx 100 sq m) in Herbertshire Castle Park (also known as Gala Park), Denny, Falkikr FK6 6JR. The tender deadline is May 24th 2013, and client details, from whom the full tender documentation can be requested, is available here. 

19 April 2013
Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust  are looking for a support worker to take the lead developing four specific projects in the Killin Ardeonaig area. This is an exciting new position that is part funded by Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER. The post advert is available here and the job description is available here.

10 April 2013
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Community Partnership is looking for an experienced consultant to assist with stakeholder engagement as part of their Skills Partnership for the National Park project to address skills in tourism, land management and local food. Closing date 19 April.The brief can be found here

21 March 2013
RSPB Scotland is looking to commission the creation of an interpretation masterplan covering the area of the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative.  More details about this exciting project and opportunity can be found here.

5 February 2013
Drumbowie Environment Action Group are seeking the assistance of a Landscape Architect - Design Consultant to work with the Group and the Standburn community to design and create Sensory Areas within the community owned and managed Drumbowie Park. The Brief can be seen here.

8 March 2013
Callander Community Development Trust has just appointed its first Town Co-ordinator to work towards the key aims of the Callander Community Action Plan, with the help of LEADER.  More information here www.callandercdt.org.uk

31 January 2013
Tender for Ochils Landscape Partnership Scheme 'Virtual Landscape' out now Details of the tender to create a 'virtual landscape' of the Ochils Landscape Partnership area showing the changes in landscape over time along with 5 trail guides are available here.

21 January 2013
LEADER Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme website www.fvl-sustainabletourism.org.uk is now live. This is a scheme for businesses or organisations wanting to develop their sustainable tourism activities.  The website contains a lot of useful information related to that specific scheme.

17 December 2012
Key Findings from the FVL LEADER Mid-Term Review FVL LAG is delighted to be able to circulate the key findings of the mid-term review of the FVL LEADER Programme.  Good feedback on the LAG's track record of capacity buidling, but more needs to be done to encourage projects that promote economic development in our rural communities.  A full copy of the report can be downloaded here

14 December 2012
FVL LEADER Programme - Close to Full Allocation As the Programme draws to the end of the funding period, our funds are almost fully allocated (£2,873,499 allocated to 109 projects so far).  With this in mind, the Local Action Group has taken the decision to prioritise projects that have their match funding in place and will complete their projects by December 2013. 

11 December 2012
Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme FVL LEADER LAG are delighted to announce that the scheme has now re-opened for new applications.  Emma McMullen has been apponted to manage the scheme and her first task will be to follow up on enquiries already submitted. More detail will follow once Emma starts in post - to contact Emma email mcmullene@stirling.gov.uk

15 November 2012
Broadband issues? The Clacksmax partner (Briskona) is alredy looking at rolling out their Wireless solution to other areas and would love to hear from you.  Contact alisdair.sinclair@briskona.com

6 July 2012
First Phase of ClacksMax is Open for Business Businesses or households wanting to sign up for fastspeed broadband in the vicinity of the Eastern Villages of Stirling or Clackmannanshire should contact Alisdair Sinclair at Briskona www.brisokona.com.  "Packages start from £19.99 with speeds up to 12 Mbps. We will quickly be adding telephone and other value added services for our customers. No land-line is needed and you can transfer your existing telephone number via your broadband, saving the cost of line rental".

4 July 2012
90% Grant Rate for Path Projects under the Building Paths for Capacity Scheme.  Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group are delighted to announce the raising of the grant intervention rate (maximum £18,000) for paths projects from community groups who are new to project managing paths projects, or have never applied for EU funding previously.  To apply, complete the enquiry form. More information here

16 March 2012
FVL Local Action Group AGM was held on 15 March 2012.  Peter Sunderland and Gary Groves were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair to serve a further term.  A copy of the Chairman's report can be downloaded here.

27 September 2011
Report on Forth Valley Next Generation Broadband visit to Sweden
A visit to Sweden took place at the end of August to learn about the roll out and use of fibre optic networks (allowing superfast and top quality internet, as well as video-conferencing, telephone and televison).  Delegates were drawn from all aspects of rural living and business in the Forth Valley, and all were amazed by how fibre optic networks have permeated everybody's lives in Sweden, making living and working so much easier, more comfortable, more productive, more efficent, more competitive, whilst also better for the environment. Download a copy of the report here or view the video report

20 September 2011
New Scottish LEADER Brochure available All 20 LEADER areas across Scotland have got together to produce a brochure for LEADER in Scotland.  Each area has selected 3 case studies to reflect a particular characteristic that LEADER aims to support, as well as giving examples that of community (or business) led economic, community and environmental activity.  Download a copy of the brochure from www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/3887

14 July 2011
Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER is now on Facebook!  If you want to receive the latest news about LEADER as it happens, news from the projects we are involved with and relevant news from other organisations in the area, then 'Like' our Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/fvlleader

22 December 2010
High Speed Broadband for Rural Forth Valley Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group is delighted at the news that its bid to bring WiMAX broadband to the Forth Valley as part of the Scottish Government’s Rural Broadband Challenge Fund was one of only five bids in Scotland to be approved by the Scottish Parliament last Friday. More...

20 September 2010
Building Paths for Community Capacity Scheme
Small path projects are now eligible for support from community organisations based in the Forth Valley and Lomond area.  Awards are now available for groups who can show the path project will help build project management skills and experience for future community run projects.  Criteria for applying to the scheme and information on how to apply is available here

Next Deadline for Applications
Applications for the current round of LEADER funding must be with the LEADER office by 1 May 2013. 

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 the community, rural businesses and public agencies.
Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER is one of twenty LEADER programmes currently operating throughout rural Scotland.

Funding of £3.73 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