The European Union’s (EU) Directorate of Regional Development funds a variety of programmes to help regions which are economically lagging behind others to catch up.

LEADER+ is a European Community initiative running from 2000 to 2006 for assisting rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. Partnerships of local organisations and people (local action groups) receive funds to:

identify development needs within their rural communities which they set out in a development plan; and

develop small-scale, innovative pilot projects to meet these development needs in a sustainable way

LEADER+ is the third LEADER Programme, and is preceded by LEADER I and LEADER II.

LEADER stands for Liason Entre Actions pour le Developpement de L'Economie Rurale (links between actions for the development of the rural economy). It funds local partnerships (known as local action groups or LAGs) to develop and implement bottom up innovative and sustainable solutions to local rural development issues.

LAGs contain representatives of the private, public and voluntary sectors in a given geographical area and are responsible for formulating strategies for, and mobilising local communities towards the planning and implementation of, innovative programmes and projects aimed at rural development and economic diversification. Most LAGs employ LEADER + Project Officers on a full time or part time basis to facilitate the communities and to oversee the management of local level projects. 

Lancashire LEADER+ Local Action Group covers North and East Lancashire. LEADER+ in Lancashire funds community and training initiatives throughout the LEADER+ area as well as this specific project which supports the business community.

For full details of all the schemes in Lancashire funded through LEADER+, contact the LEADER+ programme at:

East Lancashire Partnership
The Globe Centre
St James' Square
Accrington
East Lancashire
BB5 0RE

Tel: 01254 300460
Fax: 01254 399471