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Some More Details On Funding And Making An Application

All applications for funding will be evaluated in light of the needs of the target groups, the main aims and objectives of the programme and additional criteria set out under each of the measures outlined below. Further details and application forms are available from FORUM.

Training: Grant Aided 100%

Provision of training and courses

e.g. training not available through local channels – for example in skills such as traditional boat building, music, tree surgery or pest control even! Distance Education courses also apply and FORUM may work to put in place needed training programmes.

- Analysis and Development: Grant Aided up to 90% for Community Groups. 75% for Private Individuals to a maximum €30,000

- Feasibility studies and plans, resource audits, Development of prototype products and services. e.g. Area Economic Plans. Village Enhancement Plans. Enterprise Development Plans.

- Private Sector Capital Grants Grant Aided at a rate of 50% up to a maximum €150,000

- Innovative Rural Enterprises. Diversification, and local services, tourism businesses:

- Private sector projects that enhance the Natural/Built/Social/Cultural Environment:

- Private sector initiatives that can assist with environmental sustainability.

More Information:

Voluntary Sector Grants
Community and voluntary groups can apply for up to 75% grant aid to undertake a wide range of projects that can enhance rural life. These are likely to include new rural services, enhancing a local community environment, provision of youth facilities. They could also include capital spend on environment and heritage improvement projects, such as coastal walks and interpretive resources.

Capital Grants
Capital grants can be obtained to purchase equipment, refurbish or outfit a building or to purchase machinery. For example environmentally friendly waste management initiatives, amenity area development, craft enterprise set up, marketing initiatives, village enhancement works etc.

Capital grants can be obtained to upgrade existing and develop new visitor attractions such as a water based recreational enterprises, cultural and heritage attractions, development of cycling, walking and horse trekking routes, development of disabled visitor facilities and health tourism projects. Marketing activities will also be supported with group marketing networks receiving priority.

Grants Payable on Proof of Eligible Expenditure
Grants will be paid after work has been completed. There are no advance grants permissible under the new Rural Development LEADER Programme. However, it may be possible to get staged payments of grant aid, this must be agreed with the FORUM office in advance.

What To Do Next?
If you have read through the information and need more guidance, please contact the FORUM office. If you have decided you are ready to submit an application, the next step is request an Expression of Interest Form. Application forms can be downloaded from this website and posted to FORUM. A staff member will be able to undertake an outline review of your idea and provide you with valuable advice on how to go about preparing a main application or indeed advise you that your project is not eligible for funding – and save a lot of work in submitting an application that would not be successful.

The FORUM Rural Development Strategy

To support the development of a sustainable Connemara, based on the community, cultural and environmental richness and resources of the area through partnership, co-operation, innovation and effective delivery of the Rural Development Programme.

The Forum Rural Development Strategy has a number of priorities and actions, under which projects will be funded. Take note of the themes that follow and see if your project idea fits under the various Priorities and LEADER measures

Priority 1: A Sustainable Connemara

A Sustainable Connemara Community, Landscape and Coast

LEADER Measure - Village Enhancement

Actions

- Town, village and crossroads development and enhancements that address development and tourism needs.

- Themed Village Trail. Signage and projects that promote and use the Connemara brand, to include investment in branding the tourism product.

LEADER Measure - Rural Services

Actions

- Support for community actions that increase use of community facilities and provide innovative solutions to enhancing services.

- Health and wellbeing projects to meet needs across a range of needs and build community infrastructure.

LEADER Measure – Rural Heritage

Actions

- Events and activities which build community capacity, celebrate cultural and heritage resources and assist tourism.

- Access (walking, cycling and equestrian) research, development, animation and brokerage. Forest, mountain, coastal and railway including access opportunities from demanding routes to those for wheelchairs users. This project may explore use of Natura designation.

- Support for community landscape projects.

- Catchment /environmental projects for schools.

- Coastal environmental management, community based projects that enhance facilities, access, education and management of beaches and other coastal resources.

LEADER Measures - Business Development and Diversification

Actions

- Support for eco projects, renewable energy and green business development.

- Development support to enhance value of the shellfish industry and other sea based products.

LEADER Measure – Rural Tourism

Actions

- Supporting eco and green tourism through project development and establishing EU Flower standards.

- Harbour scheme, local harbour management and small scale improvements to offer improved tourism, leisure and fishing facilities.

- Development of new or enhancement of existing tourism attractions based on marine landscape, heritage and leisure.

Priority 2: Regional Excellence in Connemara

Creating conditions for economic growth and growing a culture of innovation.

LEADER Measures - Business Development and Diversification

Actions

- Support for enterprise facilities with specialist support such as kitchen facilities.

- Proactive enterprise support programme for Connemara produce, local sourcing, adding value and Connemara Food Festivals.

- Innovative farm diversification programme.

- Networking programme for food, craft, construction and environment sectors including support for collaborative research, business development and marketing.

- Support for innovative business development and expansion including projects using a triple helix approach.

Priority 3: A Connemara Skills Base Fit for Purpose

Delivering through partnership, innovation and specialism.

LEADER Measure – Training

Actions

- Provision of resources and upgrading training facilities in partnership with the community sector and other relevant organisations including digital media.

- Building civic capacity and organisational skills, youth and community.

- Sourcing and making accessible specialist job related training.

- Connemara heritage and cultural skills training.

- Building Connemara as a centre of excellence for traditional dance and music learning in Ireland.

The FORUM LEADER Programme

FORUM is a rural development partnership of voluntary, community and statutory bodies based in North West Connemara, with the objective of putting in place strategies and programmes to tackle the problem of rural decline and peripherality. It was established by Connemara West in 1989 as one of the model action projects of the Poverty Three Programme (1989 – 1994). In 2006/2007, negotiations, discussions and research between key stakeholders, local and central government, concluded that FORUM was well placed to deliver the Axis 3 Programme for that area of Galway known as non Gaeltacht Connemara. The plan is a robust, imaginative and innovative strategy, embedded in the culture, resources, strengths and needs of Connemara.

The full extent of the area is defined by the following map:

The catchment area covered by the FORUM Partnership faces many challenges and opportunities in terms of realising sustainable development objectives over the coming six years. Much of the territory is structurally weak, with poor connectivity, a low level of demographic vitality and a narrow economic base. Structural weaknesses are most profound in the north, west and centre of the territory, where there is a high level of dependence on small-scale farming/fishing and seasonal employment. The east of the territory, which includes the town of Oughterard, represents the fringe of an expanding peri-urban zone around Galway City. Here, there is a strong need to focus on community development, the integration of newcomers and sustainable land use and planning. Communities along the western seaboard, from Renvyle to Clifden and southwards to Ballyconneely and Cashel have had some successes in responding to the challenges posed by downturns in fishing/aquaculture and farming and pressures on the tourism sector. However, there is an on-going need to support innovation and multi-sectoral diversification in these areas.

The European LEADER Programme

The aim of LEADER is to encourage and help rural people to think about the longer-term potential of their area. It seeks to encourage the implementation of linked, high quality, original proposals for sustainable development designed to experiment with new ways of:

- Enhancing the natural and cultural environment.
- Reinforcing the economic environment, in order to contribute to job creation.
- Improving the organisational abilities of their communities.

The LEADER approach is highly innovative and seeks to add value to the efforts of the private and voluntary/community sectors through investing in quality projects that will improve the quality of life in target areas.

The new LEADER Programme, 2007 – 2013 is funded through the National Rural Development Programme (called the Axis 3 Measure) through grant aid from Europe matched funded by the Irish Exchequer through the National Development Plan. This is the fourth series of LEADER, previously we had LEADER I, II, LEADER + Programmes. This time, much of the principles and approaches of LEADER remain, innovation, diversification, community and private sector, however the new programme 2007 – 2013 is bigger and broader in funding, ambition and scope. It is also more demanding in respect of environmental benefits. FORUM however, is confident in the imagination, drive and capacity of the Connemara community to maximise the opportunities being afforded to them through the new LEADER Programme and have devised a strategy and action plan to assist with delivery of the programme over the next six years.

The new LEADER Programme has seven ‘Measures’ and will fund community and private sector projects. The seven measures are:

- Diversification into non agricultural activities.
- Support for business creation and development.
- Encouragement of tourism activities.
- Basic Services for the economy and rural population.
- Village enhancement and development.
- Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage.
- Training/co-operation projects

FORUM has been awarded €9.7 million to implement the programme between 2008 and 2014.

There are more details on the grant aid available and how to make an application further on.