1. Cumbria LEADER Programmes 2014-20
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

2. LEADER 2014-2020 Locally led rural development Two programmes:
Solway, Border and Eden (£2.261m)
Cumbria Fells and Dales (£3.008m)
Forms part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)
Local Action Groups (LAGs) provide strategic direction and project selection
Cumbria County Council act as Accountable Body and host the Programme Office
LEADER is very much focussed on locally led rural development and has 2 programmes in Cumbria.
The LEADER programme forms part of the Rural Development Programme for England. The EU requires that 5% of the RDPE programme is spent using the LEADER method.
Local Action Groups provide the strategic directions of the programme as well as project selection. The LAG is made up of public/private/third sector organisations and provides a mix of expertise.
Cumbria County Council are the accountable body for both programmes and host the programme office that locally administer the funding.

3. LAG Areas
Solway, Border and Eden: North of Cumbria, Western Coastal Strip, parts of Eden Valley and North Pennines. (Excluding Carlise)
Cumbria Fells and Dales: National Park, parts of Eden Valley and South of the county. (Excluding Barrow)
Hub Towns: SBE (Workington, Whitehaven) CFD (Penrith, Ulverston and Kendal)

4. Priorities for LEADER Priority Description 1
Support for increasing farm productivity 2
Support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversifications 3
Support for rural tourism 4
Provision of rural services 5
Support for cultural and heritage activity 6
Support for increasing forestry productivity
LEADER has 6 main priorities,
Priority 1 – Farm Productivity which has 3 elements:
a) Improve performance and sustainability of an agricultural holding
b) Support animal health and welfare improvements
c) Processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products
Priority 2 – Support for small and micro enterprise and farm diversification project.
Priority 3 – Support for rural tourism e.g. small scale tourist attractions, accommodation etc.
Priority 4 – Provision of Rural Services e.g. development of community buildings, public spaces, or cultural or tourism amenities.
Priority 5 – Support for cultural and heritage activity e.g. promotion, enhancement and maintenance of cultural heritage assets, and events.
Priority 6 – Forestry Productivity e.g. investments in machinery and equipment to help the production, extraction, mobilising,
processing and marketing of timber and non-timber forest products;
The Programme is now accepting Outline Applications for all 6 priorities.

5. Differences between LEADER & Growth Programme
Scheme
Growth Programme
LEADER
Aim
To encourage strong rural economic growth and create new jobs
To support growth in the local rural economy
Target beneficiaries
Rural businesses
Farmers, forest holders, rural businesses and rural communities
Delivery Organisation
RPA and Local Enterprise Partnerships
Local Action Groups
Project Selection
Rural Payments Agency

6. Further Information Cumbria Fells & Dales Solway, Border & Eden  
Solway, Border & Eden   
Project development support is available via the
Council’s Economic Programmes Team