The Northern Dorset Local Action Group will open for grant applications to the LEADER programme in September. The Local Action Group (LAG) has been awarded €1.97 million from the Rural Development Programme to support projects in rural businesses and community organisations. The LAG wants to hear from people who would like to be involved, helping to decide where grants would make the most difference and to monitor the progress of the programme and the projects they fund.
The only requirements you need to take part are an enthusiasm for your local community or business sector; knowledge of the LAG area and one or more of the project areas the LAG funds: farming, tourism, forestry, rural businesses, culture & heritage and rural services. The LAG area covers the North Dorset District Council area, the rural parts of and East Dorset District and Christchurch Borough Councils and in and around Sherborne. Organisations in the rest of West Dorset and Purbeck districts can apply for funding from Dorset’s other LAG – Southern Dorset. This is the first time that many communities in the east of the county will be able to apply for a LEADER grant so the LAG particularly welcomes members from this area.
The first meeting of the Northern Dorset LAG will be held at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton on 23rd September at 6.30pm. Find out more about the meeting and joining the LAG at any time at the website www.dorsetleader.org.uk. You can join at the meeting or by contacting the James in the Programme Team. James can be contacted at 01305 225525 or by emailing [email protected]
Members take part in LAG meetings, visiting projects and finding out more about different aspects of rural life, work and the countryside in Dorset. You can also choose to stand for election as Chair or Vice Chair of the LAG or stand as an ordinary member of the LAG’s decision making group, the Executive Committee. This group approves projects for funding and elections are held annually for these posts. The first election will be held at the LAG meeting on 23rd September and all registered LAG Members are eligible to vote. However, please note that to stand for election or to vote at the meeting you must register for LAG membership before the 1stSeptember 2015. More information about the elections and a nomination form can be found at the website.
