A new initiative to focus on the development of rural communities has been announced to replace the LEADER programme.

Operating across Lanarkshire for the past six years, LEADER derived its title from the French phrase Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Economie Rurale – meaning Links Between Activities for the Development of the Rural Economy. The EU-funded programme was aimed at engaging the resources, enthusiasm, local knowledge and expertise of people and organisations in rural areas to contribute to their own future development.

Crucial to the work of the programme were Local Action Groups, which were partnerships bringing together representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors across both North and South Lanarkshire.

An evaluation last year showed that LEADER had proved a success in Lanarkshire in its six years, delivering on time and in budget and focusing on the priorities set by the programme itself. In all, £3.1m had been invested through 40 projects in the rural communities, with an additional 84p being sourced for every £1 of grant funding.

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In May this year, the Scottish Government announced that LEADER would be replaced by a new programme, Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), with a primary purpose of developing the capacity and structures of the existing Local Action Groups.

Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of Community and Enterprise Resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: "The Administration is determined to continue the tremendous success generated by the LEADER programme, something that the Lanarkshire Local Action Group has been key to.

"The unique partnership of public, private and third sector representatives has brought a great range of knowledge and expertise into play and we recognise that this is by far the best way to empower rural communities at a grassroots level and achieve meaningful and lasting results."

Proposals for funding through CLLD will be developed through consultation, with the decisions being made by Local Action Group members.

Councillor Brown added: "As part of the consultation process to develop a rural vision for the fund, we are looking at holding a Rural Conference in October this year to raise awareness of CLLD and other funding, and sharing knowledge of the success of existing projects.

"We will also be looking to strengthen LAG membership by attracting new participation from the community, private and public sectors. The post-Covid landscape offers new opportunities for sustaining and enriching the community and economic life of the rural areas and I believe the Local Action Groups supported by the replacement funding are key to success."