WELCOME to the Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER Website
Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER budget is fully committed
Following approval of five new projects by the Rural Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG) at its meeting held in September 2011, a total of £4.1 million of LEADER funds has been committed towards Aberdeenshire projects since the programme lunched in 2008.
As the current Aberdeenshire LEADER project budget has now been fully committed further applications are not being considered at the current time.
Commenting on the budget commitment Belinda Miller, Rural Aberdeenshire LAG Chairperson, said:
“The success of LEADER has been clearly demonstrated by the strong and ongoing capacity to bring forward community projects. Although we can’t accept more applications at the current time, should any additional LEADER funds become available in future a call will be made for new applications.”
Newsflash (1 of 6)
November 2011: Insch Institute Sports Hall Officially Opened
Saturday 12th November saw Insch Instiute Bowling Club celebrate the official opening of its new community sports hall and clubhouse. In 2009 the project was awarded LEADER funding of £67,200 towards a total cost of £181,570. It involved the construction of an indoor sports hall connected to the Insch Institute building and overlooking the bowling green.
Sandy Hardie welcomes visitors to Insch Institute Sports Hall
The hall was officially opened by Dennis Robertson, Aberdeenshire West MSP, who unveiled a plaque celebrating the occasion.
For more information and photographs of this event please click here.
Newsflash (2 of 6)
October 2011: Scottish LEADER Guide Launched
The Scottish LEADER Programme 2007-2013 promotional brochure has recently been launched. The publication, supported by Scottish Government, is the result of a collaborative initiative between the 20 Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Scotland. It aims to celebrate and promote LEADER and features case studies from accross Scotland.
To access the guide online, please visit the document library or click here.
Newsflash (3 of 6)
October 2011: 'Enchanted Castle' set to brighten up winter evenings
A LEADER-funded event at the end of November will allow visitors to witness Crathes Castle as it has never been seen before. The 'Enchanted Castle' will be held at the Royal Deeside castle between Wednesday 23rd and Sunday 27th November. The event had been planned for December 2010 but extreme winter weather forced its cancellation.
Visitors will make their way through Crathes's woodland policies which will be dramatically lit by brightly coloured lighting and transformed into a beautiful 'winter wonderland'. It will feature cutting edge light and sound technology and stunning choreographed effects, moods and backdrops that will be a ‘must’ for family members of all ages.
In addition to the evening walk, which will take place in a truly magical ambience, a host of complementary, themed attractions including storytelling sessions by the award winning author Deborah Leslie, fire breathers and jugglers, magicians, and children’s enchanted craft activities, will all add much to the magical experience. There will also be a unique opportunity to partake in a 'ghost tour' of the castle itself.
A special menu featuring local produce will be served in the National Trust for Scotland's Courtyard Restaurant.
More details can be found on the Enchanted Castle website- http://www.theenchantedcastle.info/
Tickets can be purchased through Aberdeen Box Office.
Newsflash (4 of 6)
September 2011: Millbank Hall re-opened by Cabinet Secretary after major refurbishment
Millbank Hall Community Association celebrated the re-opening of Millbank Hall, Sauchen on September 17th with the help of Richard Lochhead MSP and other dignitaries. The hall had been closed since April as part of a revitalisation programme which has included the upgrading of toilet areas, a new kitchen facility, insulation improvements and complete redecoration.
Refrubished Millbank Hall
Over a hundred members of the local community attended the event and enjoyed an afternoon tea along with special guests Richard Lochhead (Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs), Sir Robert Smith MP, Councillor Gurudeo Saluja and Douglas Milne (Garioch Area Manager, Aberdeenshire Council). The event was hosted by the parish minister Rev Euan Glen and was also addressed by Sylvia Henry, secretary of the association.
The project was awarded £35,000 from Aberdeenshire LEADER in December 2010.
Millbank Hall currently has afternoon and evening slots available for new user groups. Please contact Sylvia Henry on 01330 833216 for further details.
Newsflash (5 of 6)
September 2011: A legacy for communities as Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER continues to enhance local facilities
Five new LEADER projects have been awarded funding by the Aberdeenshire LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) at its September meeting, resulting in full commitment of the current available budget.
Haddo House
The total LEADER award from Round 13 was £317,186 towards five projects with total costs of £2,731,406.
A total of 116 projects have now been supported to date, with combined LEADER awards of £4.09million towards cumulative costs of £16.14million.
As Aberdeenshire's LEADER current budget has been fully allocated to projects accross Aberdeenshire, further applications are not being considered at the current time.
Portsoy Harbour
Belinda Miller, Rural Aberdeenshire LAG Chairperson, said "The projects approved in Round 13 of the Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER Programme show a clear commitment to the enhancement of community facilities in the area.
"The success of LEADER has been clearly demonstrated by the strong and ongoing capacity to bring forward community projects, and although we can't accept more applications at the moment, should any additional LEADER funds become available in future a call will be made for new applications."
For full press release please click here
Newsflash (6 of 6)
September 2011: SkillForce Scotland Launches in Rural Aberdeenshire
A new LEADER project which works with secondary school children in three Aberdeenshire schools to provide extra-curricular skills has commenced. SkillForce Scotland was awarded £69,900 by the Rural Aberdeenshire LAG in March 2011 towards a 2 year programme which will benefit 150 youngsters in Banff, Huntly and Turriff.
Dave McCallum, SkillForce Team Leader, said
"Due to the successful LEADER grant SkillForce will be working in partnership with Banff Academy, Turriff Academy and The Gordon School delivering a curriculum and activities that provide young people with knowledge, skills, experience and long term personal support and most importantly, the self belief to aspire and achieve."
To read more about the story please click here
LEADER is an innovative rural development funding programme for Communities and Groups in Rural Aberdeenshire
LEADER is being delivered by the Rural Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG).
As at September 2011 the LAG has committed around £4.1m to 116 projects since the programme was launched in June 2008. For details on approved projects click here.
Match funding for LEADER projects comes form a wide range of sources. For details of match funding in projects approved to date, please click here.
The balance of funds available to new applications is kept under review. The LEADER budget is now fully committed. Further updates will be provided should any funding become available.
The programme is open to a wide range of groups, collaborations and partnerships within the programme area.
For details of News Articles and Events, click here.
For approved LAG Minutes click here.
Details of LEADER, the application process and scheme guidance are found on this website.
For advice on eligibility or those considering submitting an application for LEADER funds please contact the LEADER team. The LEADER team are here to help and look forward to discussing your ideas with you and your group.
