€8.8 million in Leader funding allocated to Mayo

A new Leader programme for 2023-2027, which includes funding of €8.8 million to support rural communities and enterprises in County Mayo, has been announced.

This investment will support thousands of locally-led rural development and enterprise projects in Mayo over the next five years.

The selection process will be conducted over two stages; the first stage is an ‘Expression of Interest’ by eligible groups followed by a more detailed stage which will see them develop their LEADER strategies.

The first stage of the process for selecting groups to deliver the new programme was opened by Minister Humphreys today.

Interested parties will have until Friday, December 16 next, to submit their expression of interest (Stage 1).

All groups that are successful in stage 1 will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process.

As part of the new CAP Strategic Plan funding of €180 million has been committed nationally to Leader for 2023-2027.

It has been confirmed that all of this funding will be allocated to the Local Action Groups who are appointed to deliver the new programme, with €8.8 million being allocated to County Mayo.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Michael Ring said: “The Leader programme in Mayo has been a fantastic success over the last 30 years and has played a central in supporting our rural communities and enterprises."