Launch events will be held next month promoting a £6million programme from the EU and Scottish Government allocated to boost communities and the area’s rural economy.
The new LEADER Rural Development programme will support community-led projects and other development activities in Aberdeenshire until 2020 and is split into two areas.
The North Aberdeenshire programme will allocate £3.3m of the funding to projects in Banff and Buchan, Buchan, and Formartine.
The South Aberdeenshire programme will distribute £2.8m of the funding in Garioch, Marr, and Kincardine and Mearns.
Funding will be allocated by an independent Local Action Group (LAG) comprised of representatives from businesses, public sector and third sector organisations.
Launch events for the South Aberdeenshire LEADER programme will take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday, November 17 (7-8.30pm) – Station Hotel, Stonehaven
- Wednesday, November 18 (2-4pm) – Tullnessle Hall, Alford
To book your place at any of these events or for more information visit http://salag.org.uk/
The launch event for the North Aberdeenshire LEADER programme will take place on:
- Tuesday, November 17 (1-4pm) – Baden Powell Centre, Turriff
To book your place or for more information visit www.nalag.org.uk
The launch events will provided interested groups with the chance to meet and chat to the Local Action Group members and staff.
There will also be presentations on the programme and the opportunity to meet those involved in previous projects and representatives from national organisations and funders.
Chairman of the North Aberdeenshire Local Action Group, Duncan Leece, said: “I am delighted that the North Aberdeenshire LEADER programme is open for business. Communities have put a lot of work into identifying the priorities for our area and our allocation of £3.3million of EU and Scottish Government funds can achieve a lot for North Aberdeenshire.
“I encourage as many communities and businesses as possible to attend our launch event to find out more about how to access the funds and help the Local Action Group to deliver the North Aberdeenshire Local Development Strategy.
“Aberdeenshire communities have delivered projects making exceptionally good use of LEADER funding from previous programmes, and there are many examples of lasting benefits.
“Local communities and businesses have plenty good ideas for projects that will address all five priorities; I believe they have the will to deliver them, and now we have some funding too, so the onus is on us all in North Aberdeenshire to work together to make it happen.”
Chairman of the South Aberdeenshire Local Action Group, Liam Smyth, said: “The award of £2.8million of LEADER and Scottish Government funds for the development of South Aberdeenshire will give our communities and rural enterprises the opportunity to develop opportunities consistent with our aims.
“Action group members have invested considerable time identifying the priorities for South Aberdeenshire which are set out in our Local Development Strategy.
“Implementing the strategy is now our priority and I would encourage local communities and enterprises to attend our launch events to find out about project funding opportunities and help their Local Action Group to deliver on our objectives.”