Westmeath Community Development

Under the New Rural Development Programme (LEADER) 2007-2013 the following are the measures which are included in the new programme:-

1.       Diversification into non-Agricultural Activities 

Aim: to significantly increase the percentage of holdings where the fixed assets of the farm are utilised in any non-agricultural activity by a member of the farm household for economic gain.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Speciality food products
•           Agri-tourism including educational tourism
•           Farm shops
•           Energy conservation including biomass and forestry products
•           Arts and craft projects
•           Development of crops such as oil seed rape
•           Training
•           Westmeath Food Network
•           Horticulture products
•           Recycling projects using farm waste


2.       Support for Business Creation and Development 

Aim: To position rural areas to provide economic activity of sufficient mass to attract people to live and work there.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Innovative business projects
•           Businesses using existing farm assets
•           Businesses based on alternative energies, recycling
•           Arts and crafts businesses
•           Tourism projects
•           Social economy type projects
•           Support for research, analysis and development
 

3.       Encouragement of Tourism Activities

Aim: To maximise the sustainable regionally balanced tourism potential of all rural areas through the provision of necessary infrastructure and development of the countryside as a resource for all.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Provision of small scale infrastructure for anglers
•           Encouragement of festivals and events as attractions
•           Development of inter-cultural activities
•           Provision of training for people engaged in tourism
•           Improvements to monuments, historical sites, heritage sites
•           Development of food trail
•           Provision of cookery school
•           Activity and accommodation packages including tuition
•           Development of spiritual tourism projects
•           Projects to maximise use of forests as tourism facilities
•           Clan rallies
•           Expansion of existing museums
•           Activity holidays in painting, photography, water sports
•           Training for tour guides
•           Research to identify the economic benefits of tourism to the county


4.       Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population

Aim: To identify and provide to local communities appropriate cultural and leisure facilities not otherwise available to them.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Activities for young people and elderly
•           Facilities for art and crafts
•           Community infrastructure projects such as refurbishment of community halls
•           Enterprise units
•           Rural childcare projects
•           Expansion of broadband
•           Cultural activities
•           Amenity and leisure facilities


5.       Village and Countryside Renewal & Development

Aim: Environmental upgrading e.g. upgrading parks, civic areas, river walks, tidy towns projects etc

Examples of possible projects:

•           Community planning, community audits at village/local level
•           Bringing derelict buildings back into productive use
•           Small scale infrastructural projects
•           Local signage
•           Development of farmers markets
•           Environmental improvements including support for Tidy Towns schemes
•           Provision of facilities and amenities
•           Provision of public utilities
•           Support for disability proofing
•           Community development at the local level including projects which encourage volunteering


6.       Conservation and Upgrading of the Rural Heritage

Aim: To provide an integrated approach to the protection of local heritage through a suite of related preservation actions, complemented by a range of initiatives designed to develop the sustainable economic contribution of the natural heritage.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Maintenance of local place names
•           Pilot and/or demonstration projects in renewable energy and waste reduction
•           Local energy audits
•           Support for recycling centres
•           Support for cultural traditions
•           Support for crafts and archaeology projects
•           Cleaning up old graveyards
•           Audit of areas of natural resources
•           Signage in environmentally sensitive areas
 

7.       Training & Information

Aim: To equip rural dwellers and communities with the appropriate range of skills and training to drive maximum social and economic benefit.

Examples of possible projects:

•           Development of distance and flexible learning
•           Training targeted at young people, women and older people
•           Training in ICT; 1:1 training for businesses and farmers and community sector
•           Improving access to information
•           Training in language for new citizens
•           Training in languages of new citizens for local people to improve communications
•           Support for provision of training facilities
•           Training courses in tourism, crafts, culture, leadership, community development, committee skills, food, environment, energy, waste managementRates of Grant Aid