1. Experience of Rural Development Policies delivered through a bottom-up approach Northern Ireland Michael McGuigan LEADER+ Deputy Programme Manager EC Rural Development Seminar BRUSSELS October 2007

2. Characteristics of a Bottom Up Approach Managing Authority maintaining an Arms Length approach Local partnerships developing their own local development strategy Local solutions being applied to local problems within the context of a national rural policy framework

3. Building the Approach Animation – to increase awareness Capacity Building – to increase skills – to increase knowledge – to increase involvement Empowerment – local funding – local decision making – local accountability

4. Northern Ireland Context 1990-93The Beginning- £6.5m 1994-99Rapid Growth- £55m 2000-06Maturing- £80m

5. Beginnings 1991 - Launch of Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme - £6.5m Establishment of a Rural Development Council -Representative of Rural Stakeholder -Advice on Rural Issues -Assistance with bottom up development -Delivery of LEADER I Funding -Flagship Projects -Capacity Building

6. Rapid Growth - 1994-99 - £55m Programme 33 Delivery Bodies 7 Funds 3 Themes

7. Maturity – 2000-06 - £80m Programme Five Separate Strands –Building Capacity of Rural Communities –Local Regeneration Projects / Programmes –Sectoral and Area Regeneration Projects –Natural Resource Rural Tourism –Micro Business Development

8. Key Experiences of the Bottom Up Approach greater stakeholder participation high levels of customer satisfaction harnessing expertise at local level wider access to EU funds creates a synergy / complementarity at local development level

9. Key for Cross Border Bottom Up Approach Key Experiences –Border rural areas have shared needs –Issues can arise with the different bureaucracies in each Member State –Different focuses led to difficulties in finding common projects Learning –Agreed application form –Joint panel –Agreed messages

10. Lessons Learned A crowded Market place Conflict between local groups and state authorities Risk that bottom up delivery can become funding led rather than delivery led Volunteer fatigue Time dilutes delivery

11. Conclusions 17 years on the bottom up approach has;- Matured; Energised and empowered communities; Improved quality of life; and Become a good Rural Development economic development tool

12. The Way Forward 2007-2013 LEADER bottom up approach for all of Axis 3 - £100m Rationalisation of number of Local Action Groups Groups delivering a wider range measures must deliver all Axis 3 measures

13. For further information:- www.dardni.gov.uk