Frequently Asked Questions

What is LEADER?
LEADER is part of the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas. It will encourage new and experimental approaches to rural development. LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support for rural development through implementing a local rural development strategy. Support will be aimed primarily at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.
The aim of LEADER is to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills, innovate and co-operate in order to tackle local development objectives.

The following is a link to the full text of the SRDP.

What does LEADER stand for?
LEADER stands for Liaison Entre Actions de Développement Économique Rurale which means “links between activities developing rural communities”. There are local LEADER partnerships across the European Union including some developing partnership projects with Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER.

What areas are eligible?
All of Forth Valley and Lomond’s rural areas – effectively all of the Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling local authority areas except Alloa, Bo’ness, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Polmont, Stenhousemuir and Stirling city, and the part of West Dunbartonshire lying within the National Park. A detailed map is published above.
There are 15 other Local Action Groups covering most of the rest of rural Scotland.

Who can apply?
We welcome applications from constituted community groups, social enterprises, micro or small businesses, voluntary organisations or public sector bodies with a project idea that will benefit the rural community.
Additionally, individuals who have public support for their project, submitting proposals which implement the local strategy can apply in certain cases. These projects will be community driven and will benefit a wide section of the community rather than an individual.

When and how can communities apply?
Outline application forms for project funding are available from the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group and will soon be available to download from this site.

How were the themes chosen?
The themes emerged through a review of current strategies, a review of the lessons from the previous LEADER + programme in Lomond and rural Stirling, consultation with public agencies and a series of public consultation events.

What restrictions apply?
Applicants will need to have matching funds, normally 50% or more of the total project cost. The LEADER grant cannot be released until you have this match funding in place. Since LEADER is aimed at community benefit it is expected that match funding will be largely from public bodies. Letters of intent from match funders will suffice. A minimum project cost of £1000 applies.
The support team will explain the conditions of grant and restrictions to you.

When is the closing date?
There is no fixed deadline. The programme will operate until 2013 and decisions on awards will be made at least quarterly.

Where can I go for assistance or guidance?
You can seek assistance with your application from the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER support team who will work with community projects to develop these into a final application for the Local Action Group to consider.

What information do I need to supply with the application?
You will need to supply a variety of information, details of which will depend on the nature of each project coming forward - examples might be; details of the community group and constitution, any planning permission or building warrant, estimates of equipment/services being provided, detailed proposals of the project including who is going to undertake the work, and letters of the communities own contribution and match funding being in place.

What will happen to the applications once they have been submitted?
The applications will go forward for consideration and decision by the Local Action Group (LAG) which meets at least four times a year. Following the LAG meeting the proposal will either be approved or rejected and a letter issued from the LAG office. Payments on approved projects can be claimed when the money has been spent and projects are either complete or at a sufficiently completed stage to permit an interim payment to be processed. Claims will usually be paid within 4-6 weeks on our behalf by Stirling Council.

What is the Local Action Group?
The Local Action Group brings together representatives from community organisations and public agencies from across the region. A list of current members is available here.

Where can I find more details about Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER?
If you have access to the Internet, the best source of information is online at www.fvl.org.uk. Alternatively, you can telephone us on 01786 443123 or write to us at Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER, c/o Economic Development, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET

“Forth Valley and Lomond is an area of contrasts which presents many opportunities from a rural development perspective. With support from LEADER we hope to build local capacity to grasp these opportunities and help realise our vision of the area as an exemplar for rural development in Scotland building genuinely sustainable communities.
We want to improve the quality of life of Forth Valley and Lomond’s residents by revitalising our local communities and enhancing our local environments.
We want Forth Valley and Lomond to be first choice for people to live, work and to visit – and we want to be a leader in sustainable development – ensuring that economic, social and environmental progress is not just for tomorrow but for the long term”
   Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group