LEADER funding making a big impact in County Cavan
Cavan LEADER Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 was launched late in 2016 and to-date funding approvals are fast approaching €2 million out of a total budget of €6.5 million for projects (Oct’18). A number of community and enterprise projects throughout county Cavan are currently benefiting from the funding available through LEADER, administered by Breffni Integrated CLG. Below is an example of one such community project which was supported under the Rural Towns measure of the Cavan LEADER programme:
Dowra Playground LEADER Project Dowra Playground LEADER Project
A hard working community group from Dowra have recently received their LEADER grant payment towards completing their communities first playground (Oct’18). Dowra Resource Centre Limited established in 1999 have successfully obtained funds for the development of a resource centre and a number of other community amenities over the years. This new playground is an important new development for the community as prior to this project there was no designated safe area for children in the Dowra area to play. Patricia O’Rourke, Secretary of Dowra Resource Centre was buoyant about the new playground for which they are planning an official opening in the coming weeks. Patricia stated that ‘it was a long-term dream among the community to have a playground in Dowra and LEADER made it happen’.
Dowra Resource Centre received €16,594.50 LEADER funding at a 75% rate towards the cost of developing the new playground including the fencing and six pieces of play equipment.
The local community matched funded the remaining 25% from a combination of fundraising and their own resources. The groundwork’s for the development of the playground also received support initially through CLÁR funding.
Mr. Fintan McCabe Chair of Cavan LAG stated that he was ‘delighted to see the benefits of LEADER funding being returned to a rural community such as Dowra who continue to strive to enhance their community amenities for all in the community’.
Breffni Integrated CLG who implement LEADER 2014 – 2020 in County Cavan are keen to point out that LEADER funding is now available to enterprise, tourism, environmental and community based projects. A number of information events will be held across county Cavan in the coming month and further information is available here on our website. If you have a project idea, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the LEADER staff to discuss your idea further on 049-4331029 – select option 3 or email:leader@breffniint.ie