Inishowen Development Partnership bid for the delivery of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

Over the period 2007-2013, IDP will administer funding of €8,286,143.00 on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the NRDP, within its Inishowen catchment region.

Main Theme of the National Rural Development Programme:

“Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity.”

IDP’s Board of Directors and staff are committed to helping you explore project proposals with a view to submitting a full application under the National Rural Development Programme (2007-2013).

The Company has a proven track record in the delivery of the LEADER + (2001-2006) and LEADER II Programme's (1995-2000) in addition to other key social and economic funding programmes.

The actions to be administered by Inishowen Development Partnership in the delivery of the NRDP 2007-2013 are outlined below.

• Diversification into non-agricultural activities
• Support for business creation and development
• Encouragement of tourism activities
• Basic services for the economy and rural population
• Village renewal and development
• Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
• Training

As a pan-European and National Programme, RDP project eligibility is determined in accordance with strict operating guidelines developed by the EU and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. IDP endeavours to administer RDP grant aid for projects, however only those projects that are in keeping with the programmes objectives, operating guidelines and eligibility criteria, can be considered for RDP grant aid.

As was the case with previous LEADER programmes, major emphasis will be placed on the implementation of innovative approaches to rural development at a local level. Innovation in products and processes must be continuously sought with needs and solutions identified at a local level.

There is also a major emphasis on economic activity and enterprise, including diversification into non-agricultural activities, the creation of new and the expansion of existing enterprises, job creation and sustaining of existing jobs as well as the generation of additional and alternative incomes in rural areas. Support is also provided for the encouragement of tourism activities and for the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural heritage.

The amount of grant aid available to project promoters may vary in accordance with the measure under which an application is sought. In general, an overall ceiling of €150,000 grant aid per project will apply.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate the need for funding. Match funding is a pre-requisite and the level of funding awarded is dependent on the status of the applicant (i.e. community or private individual) and the type of project.

For private applicants, the grant aid will vary from 50% for capital type projects to 75% for Analysis & Development. For community applicants, the grant aid will vary from 75% for capital type projects to 90% for Analysis & Development. Funding of between 50% and 100% is available under Training.

General

Note: Other sources of public funding cannot be used as a source of private matching funding.

IDP must operate within the constraints of EU and national sectoral policies, competition policy, the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policy and other national and EU sectoral exclusions. IDP shall, therefore, acquaint itself with the objectives of, and aid available under, other official programmes. In this regard, IDP will maintain close liaison with other development agencies including Local Authorities, CDBs, BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, CEBs, Teagasc, FÁS and Enterprise Ireland, when considering project applications.

If you would like to discuss a potential project with a LEADER Project Officer, please contact office at:
Pound Street Business Park
Pound Street
Carndonagh
Inishowen
Co. Donegal
Tel: 074-9373083