By Michelle Crean

Rural Kerry is set to get a boost as €8.2m in funding has been announced this week.

The money is being made available to support rural communities and enterprises across the county to support thousands of locally led rural development and enterprise projects over the next five years.
Interested groups are invited to apply under the LEADER programme.

Minister Norma Foley said that she is encouraging groups from across Kerry to apply.

"Funding streams like LEADER are imperative to supporting rural communities and enterprises across Kerry and I would encourage all interested groups to apply. LEADER funding has been a very successful project for the county, and I look forward to working with local groups in their applications for this funding."

HOW TO APPLY

All groups that are successful in Stage 1 will be provided with funding to assist with the costs associated with developing a Local Development Strategy in Stage 2 of the process.

A fund of €2 million has been ring-fenced for this purpose which will commence in early 2023.

Interested parties can now apply by visiting the Department’s website and downloading an application form via the following link www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/.

Completed Expressions of Interest forms must be submitted by email only to leader2327@drcd.gov.ie no later than 5.30pm on Friday, December 16.

The Department of Rural and Community Development will host an information webinar for all interested parties on November 10. Registration for this event is open at eventbrite.ie by searching 'Selection process of Local Action Groups (LAGs) to deliver LEADER 2023-2027'.