Welcome to Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER

Latest News

1 July 2010
Funding boost for rural broadband
The Scottish Government has announced a €1 million challenge fund to improve countrywide coverage for broadband. This will be delivered by LEADER with the aim of improving coverage and bringing faster broadband to rural communities.

The new challenge fund will enhance Scotland’s broadband infrastructure and help rural firms gain a level playing field at a time when they need it most. Eligible projects include those which will bring faster speeds, improved coverage or simply provide research to identify the digital needs of an area.

Presently €1 million equals just over £800,000. The €1 million amount is fixed, regardless of exchange rate. The deadline for bids from LAGs to the Scottish Government is September 24, so this means applications to the LAG must be received at this LEADER office by 17 August 2010

This latest announcement means that communities will have the opportunity to define their broadband needs and, develop a project which meets these needs. It will then be for the LAGs to assess the merits of these applications and bid for funding to the Challenge Fund.

Businesses or organisations wishing to apply for this funding should complete the online enquiry form located under the How to Apply tab, and email it to info@fvl.org.uk .  Further guidance for applicants is available here

23 June 2010
Updated Local Development Strategy for Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER
Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER Local Action Group has been reviewing its Local Development Strategy.  Please find the latest version here.

14 June 2010
New LEADER Development Officer Appointed
We're delighted to advise that following our recent recruitment process, we have appointed David Niven as our new Development Officer to join the LEADER team.  David starts on 5 July and comes with a wealth of experience of working with community organisations and LEADER - most recently with the Community Recycling Network in Highland.  Like Sue, David will be working 3 days a week in supporting projects applying to LEADER.

20 May 2010
FVL LEADER Scottish Rural Network Event
Don't forget that if you didn't managed to make it along to the LEADER Showcase/SRN Event in Callander earlier this year, here's a link to all the presentations from that day (the inspirational Stratheden Path Project and Flanders Moss path and viewing tower project) as well as an update on LEADER in this area and Rural Priorities http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/1619

17 March 2010
Funding for Local Development Strategies
Funding to support the production of Local Development Strategies by rural communities is being transferred to LEADER from Rural Priorities to allow LEADER Local Action Groups to support this type of activity in their respective areas.  This is awaiting ministerial approval, but we are told this is imminent.

The objective is to promote the acquisition of skills and provide animation activities to prepare and implement local development strategies at a sub-regional level.  

Examples of the type of activity that would be eligible include:

• Capital funding for research and consultancy
• Promotional work
• Information provision
• Implementation of strategy
• Preparing local developing strategies

If you like to apply for this funding, please use the enquiry form on the 'How to Apply' page.

17 March 2010
Rural Priorities - Update on Community Services and Facilities Option transfer to LEADER Guidance was published on October 6 2009 that the Community Services and Facilities (CSF) option under Rural Priorities was being considered for transfer into the LEADER programme.  However this has not yet been confirmed.

Until further notice, projects should continue to follow the SRDP Rural Priorities guidance and timescales, in consultation with the Case Officers assigned to them when they submit their Statements of Intent. Details on the arrangements for assessment beyond the April RPACs will be announced by the Rural Directorate in due course.

Next Deadline for Applications
Applications for the next round of LEADER funding must be with the LEADER office by 17 August 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