Westmeath Community Development

The current Rural Development (LEADER) Programme runs until 2015 and has a substantial budget. It`s role is to stimulate new innovative ideas and offer practical support to businesses, farm families and community groups in getting their ideas off the ground.

The current programme provides attractive incentives for new micro-enterprise projects to start up and many already have. We provide support for farm-diversification projects into non-agricultural activities, some food enterprises, opportunities in rural recreation and rural-tourism, all of which are important to our rural economy.

For community and voluntary groups, there are opportunities to develop new and existing local facilities and services, as well as pursuing projects in village renewal and development. Environmental projects, including energy conservation and renewable energy, and the conservation of rural heritage are also supported. There are also opportunities to benefit from training projects in many areas of the county.

Businesses, individuals, farm-families and community and voluntary groups who have a project idea should contact:

Bernie Leavy       Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Caroline Moran   Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Conor Carty        Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it