From pet farms to patisseries: local enterprises benefit from LEADER aid
Community groups, farmers and local enterprises are among those which have been receiving assistance from the latest round of the LEADER programme, running from 2023 to 2027, members of Westmeath County Council’s Economic Development, Enterprise, Agriculture and Tourism Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) were informed at their quarterly meeting, held in Mullingar, recently.
Speaking about the scheme, Teresa Geoghegan of Westmeath Community Development said LEADER has been a driving force in rural development since its launch in 1991, with Westmeath benefiting from the programme since 1995. “LEADER is unique in that it is community-led – it puts local people at the centre of developing solutions to economic, environmental, and social challenges,” she said.
The initiative is delivered by a Local Action Group, which in Westmeath consists of the Local Community Development Committee in partnership with Westmeath Community Development as the implementing partner and Westmeath County Council as the financial partner. The county’s new Local Development Strategy, drawn up last year after consultation with stakeholders, sets out a vision of “an active and inclusive society, supported by strong communities and a vibrant, sustainable economy, with equal access to basic services while safeguarding our environment.”
The programme is built around three main themes. The first is economic development and job creation, which includes support for green economy projects, farm diversification, rural tourism and recreation, enterprise development, food production, and social enterprises. The second theme is rural infrastructure and social inclusion, focusing on better services, digital connectivity, youth opportunities, and community facilities. The third theme centres on sustainability and climate action, supporting biodiversity, water protection, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation.
Community groups can avail of grants of up to €200,000, with higher aid rates available for disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities. Private enterprises may also apply, with supports including capital investment, feasibility studies, and training.
Previous rounds of LEADER funding have supported a wide range of projects across Westmeath. Among them are the new boathouse for Athlone Boat Club, which has boosted tourism and regatta activity on the River Shannon; stable development at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, strengthening its ability to host major show jumping events; and the promotion of Winterfest at regional and national level, helping to attract visitors to Mullingar. Another example is the development of the Lough Ennell Water Management Catchment Plan, one of the first of its kind in Ireland, aimed at improving water quality and biodiversity.
Local enterprises have also benefited. In Mullingar, 2210 Patisserie received support to expand kitchen facilities and grow online sales, while near Delvin, Alison Beattie’s Farm Wardrobe used LEADER assistance to produce promotional material, clothing, farmware, gifts and merchandising alongside the running of a busy dairy farm. At Lough Ennell, the award-winning Molly Moo’s Pet Farm, established in 2015, was another project aided by the scheme.
Ms Geoghegan said there would be particular focus in the current programme on supporting female entrepreneurs, community shops in areas that have lost services, and projects linked to climate action and sustainability. “LEADER has always been about innovation, cooperation, and bottom-up development,” she said. “We want communities across Westmeath to bring forward their ideas – whether that’s around tourism, enterprise, digital connectivity, or climate change – and we will work with them to make those projects a reality.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme