Community led local development in Leitrim - Have your say

The consultation events for the new LEADER programme are well under way and the photographs displayed show some of the attendance in Carrick-on-Shannon on Thursday last at the Bush Hotel.

The next LEADER programme is opening for applications in the autumn. In Leitrim the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is now asking you to tell them what the €6.3million allocation for Leitrim should be spent on. Tourism, Businesses, farm diversification, community projects and facilities Inclusion programmes, the environment or climate issues are all areas that LEADER can support and fund.

Cllr Finola Armstrong-Maguire; Lola Gonzalez, Leitrim International Community; Sinead McDermott, Manager Leitrim Tourism and Martin Dolan, Board Member Leitrim Development Company.

Whether you are a private individual, farmer, company, local community / voluntary group or charity the European Commission recognises that you are best placed to identify and address your own needs locally in a Local Development Strategy or LEADER plan.

The new LEADER programme is set out in three broad themes through which the Local community development Committee (LCDC) and Leitrim Development Company will support developments in Leitrim between 2023 and 2027.

From left - Martin Dolan, Board member, Leitrim Development Company; Emer Connolly, Senior Executive Officer, LCC; Michelle Reynolds, Community and Economic Development Officer, LCC; Trish Gilchriest, Leitrim Development Company and Chris Gomley, CEO Leitrim Development Company.

These themes are:
- Economic Development and Job Creation,
- Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion
- Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

The consultation process must also ensure that the local development strategy is committed in delivering in key areas such as climate action, equality and inclusion and sustainable rural development models.

The Chairman of Leitrim Local Community Development Committee, James Gallagher, stated that this programme is a vital resource for the continued development of the county.

Brian Smyth, Leader Programme; Mary McKeon, Leitrim PPN; Martina Giblin, Manager Sligo-Leitrim Local Area Employment Service; Trish Gilchriest and Bernie Donohoe, LDC.

The Leitrim Development company as the LEADER implementing partner with the LCDC wants to hear what you have to say so that the priorities for the LEADER programme can now be agreed to deliver the best outcomes possible for everyone in Leitrim particularly for those who need it most.

Five more consultation events will be taking place in towns and villages across the county from Wednesday, May 10 to May 17.

There will be some introductory presentations followed by a range of round table discussions to capture first-hand the needs of the county and your input, projects, suggestions and comments.

Ultan O'Brien, Drumsna; Zoe Basha, Drumsna; Edwina Guckian, Drumsna and John Cronogue, Carrick-on-Shannon at the Leader Consultation event for the Leitrim Local Development Strategy 2023-2027 in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The events in Manorhamilton, Ballinamore and Carrick-on-Shannon will be transmitted live online and those participating will have the opportunity to input digitally.

If people are unable to attend, they can also provide written submissions or complete a dedicated survey. Further details and login for the digital sessions is available on the Leitrim Development Company website www.ldco.ie

Venues and dates
Bornacoola, Community Centre, Wednesday 10th May
Manorhamilton, Bee Park Centre, Thursday 11th May
Ballinamore, The Den/Sports Complex, Monday 15th May
Mohill, Canon Donohue Hall, Tuesday 16th May
Kinlough, Community Centre, Wednesday 17th May
All events at 7.30pm

An online survey is available at www.ldco.ie, and written submissions can also be sent to Leitrim Development Company, Church Street, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, N41 RF24 by Friday 19th May.

For more information, please contact Leitrim Development Company on 071 9641770 or by email to leader@ldco.ie