Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, announced today that he has given sanction to County Kildare Leader Partnership to approve funding of €427,242 to The ACRE Project - A Community Rethinking its Environment - an eco-friendly community resource building and amenity-based facility in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The funding is being provided under the Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
Announcing the funding Minister Hogan said:
“I am delighted that the Rural Development Programme is in a position to support this project, which will be of immense benefit to Celbridge and North Kildare. It will provide learning and development opportunities, with an eco-friendly and horticultural focus, to meet the needs of community groups in the area. It will give the community of North Kildare a much needed facility which will provide opportunities for the development of the social and creative skills of young people, including those experiencing learning and social difficulties. I know it will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric for all the inhabitants of the area.
The LEADER elements of the Programme offer many challenges and opportunities in terms of addressing the needs of improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. It is hoped that, by focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.
The Minister added: “This project will now go back to the Board of County Kildare Leader Partnership for final approval. This is in line with the EU’s ‘’bottom-up’’ approach to rural development’’.
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013 is co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
Axes 3 and 4 focus on the delivery of LEADER-type activities and have an allocation of approximately €370m. (Axes 1 and 2 of the Programme cover a range of on-farm support measures, including REPs and Farm Waste Management).
The measures to be funded under the Programme are:
· Diversification into non-agricultural activities for farm families - e.g. Development of niche tourism and educational services such as arts and crafts, open farms etc.
· Support for business creation and development -e.g. Support to start a new business or expand an existing enterprise including the adoption of new technologies.
· Encouragement of tourism activities - e.g. Maintenance of vernacular features in a way that protects the heritage of the features such as disused railway lines and canal towpaths.
· Basic services for the economy and rural population - e.g. Identification and provision of appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities, not otherwise available to them.
· Village renewal and development - e.g. Farmers Markets
· Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage - e.g. Alternative or renewable energy actions addressing suitability of new technologies to meet community energy needs.
· Training and information on adapted and new skills - e.g. Development of training facilities in rural areas (fixed or mobile)
· Implementing co-operation projects
Skills acquisition and animation