Ireland’s rural communities are marking a significant milestone this year as the LEADER programme reaches its 35th anniversary. During that time, it has adopted a community-led model that places decision-making power in the hands of local people, enabling communities to identify their own priorities and shape development strategies which reflect local needs.

 The LEADER programme has been a cornerstone of rural development policy in Ireland for 35 years, with groups across the country acknowledged for their sustained contribution to local development since the programme was first introduced in 1991.

Launched on 15 March 1991 by Ray McSharry, then EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Irish Commissioner, LEADER was designed to address the challenges facing rural areas that traditional policy approaches had struggled to resolve.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, recently acknowledged LEADER’s long-term impact and the organisations and the volunteers who have contributed to its success

Over the past 35 years, the LEADER model has become a central pillar of rural development policy in Ireland. Its bottom-up approach allows Local Action Groups (LAGs) to work with community organisations, businesses and individuals to support projects that strengthen local economies, enhance infrastructure and improve quality of life in rural areas.

Minister Calleary paid tribute to the former EU Commissioner for his foresight and leadership during his tenure, which resulted in major reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy. He said that LEADER funding enabled rural communities to deliver meaningful change through locally driven development initiatives.

“Grant-aid awarded under the LEADER programme has played a critical role in empowering communities across rural Ireland by providing community groups, businesses and individuals with the resources required to direct local development in their own areas. This has helped communities address specific local challenges, strengthen resilience, support job creation and improve social and economic wellbeing.”

Under the current LEADER Programme (2023–2027), to date over 1,000 projects have been approved nationwide, with funding exceeding €50 million. These projects span a broad range of initiatives involving community organisations, social enterprises and rural businesses.

The programme operates through a network of 33 LAGs working across 28 sub-regional areas. These groups implement Local Development Strategies designed to respond to local priorities within a national framework.

Funding under the current programme focuses on three broad themes: economic development and job creation, rural infrastructure and social inclusion, and the sustainable development of the rural environment including climate action. With an overall budget of €180m, the programme continues to play an important role in supporting enterprise, strengthening communities and improving services in rural Ireland.

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