South Pennines Leader 2008-2013

What is Leader?

Leader is a method of mobilising and delivering rural development in rural areas, looking for innovative ways in which rural communities can play an active role in shaping their own future. Funding for Leader comes from the European Union and the UK Government through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Rural Development Programme for England.

Regionally the funding is being distributed by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). For example, in the West Yorkshire part of the South Pennines the funds will come through Yorkshire Forward, guided by Yorkshire & Humber Regional Implementation Plan.

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What is happening in the South Pennines?

Pennine Prospects has submitted Stage 1 bids to the Regional Development Agencies for a Leader programme covering the South Pennines. The bid crossed borders, covering areas in West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. For simplicity it has been agreed that the main RDA for the purposes of the bid will be Yorkshire Forward.

Pennine Propects is now producing a Local Development Strategy for stage 2 of the bidding process for Leader. This strategy will set out how a Leader programme could be delivered in the South Pennines and will define how appropriate activities could be funded through such a programme. The strategy must be submitted to Yorkshire Forward by 31st July 2008 and, if the bid is successful, a Leader programme will start in autumn 2008.