About LEADER+

LEADER+ is a European Community Initiative for assisting rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. LEADER+ is the third LEADER Programme, and is preceded by LEADER I & II.

The LEADER+ programme runs from 2000 to 2006, and its aim is to encourage and support rural actors to think about the longer-term potential of their area. It seeks to encourage the implementation of integrated, high-quality, original strategies for sustainable development designed to encourage experimenting with new ways of:

• Reinforcing the economic environment, in order to contribute to job creation
  
• Enhancing the natural and cultural heritage
  

The objective of the Northern Ireland LEADER+ Programme is to increase the economic and employment contribution that very small businesses, including small farms, make to the rural economy.

CARD will be dealing with businesses based in rural areas that employ up to and including 10 people. The emphasis on the whole programme is on job creation and stimulating economic activity in rural areas.

Further information on LEADER+ can be obtained at www.ukleader.org.uk.