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Register now for 2016 Scottish LEADER conference: Delivering together

10-12 March 2016, Macdonald Aviemore Resort

The conference will bring delegates from the 21 Local Development Strategy (LDS) areas together to share best practice, learn, engage and network. 

Visit the online registration page to find out more and to register.

There will be an exhibition stand marketplace throughout the first two days of the conference and we are inviting requests from a variety of organisations to host a stand. We can also offer each LDS area a table at the marketplace to promote your area, your priorities and/or your projects.

If your LAG/FLAG is interested in having a space in the marketplace, please email Ann-Marie Meikle at ann-marie@ruralnetwork.scot by 19 February.

Photo courtesy of Angus Findlay.

News from Scottish Government LEADER team
Introducing the LEADER team

The LEADER Paying Agency in the Scottish Government are responsible for the:

  • development of the policy to support LEADER
  • delivery and support of LEADER to the Local Action Groups (LAGs)
  • implementing the regulations and controls around LEADER
  • monitoring the implementation of LEADER

The work of the team is split into three main areas:

  • Finance – processing claims and ensuring payment is made
  • Monitoring and Evaluation – ensuring compliance with regulations and conducting monitoring visits
  • Local Actions in Rural Communities system (LARCs) –  designing, developing and delivering an IT solution to support LEADER

The members of the team are: Gerrie Kidd, Esmee Van-Brueggel, Geoff Allan, Tom Brawn, Lynn Douglas, Stephen Gaul, Caroline McConnell, Gillian McTavish and Chris Montroy.

The delivery of the work of the LEADER team is overseen by Vicky Dunlop with Gillian McDonald having overall responsibility for the LEADER and the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation (FPMC) schemes.

You can contact the LEADER team by emailing Leader.Queries@gov.scot or calling 0131 244 9924.

News from Local Action Groups
LEADER Co-ordinators meeting

The next LEADER co-ordinators meeting will be hosted by Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER on 2 and 3 February. There will be presentations from the Food Processing Marketing and Cooperation Scheme, Community Broadband Scotland, Improving Public Access Scheme, Woodlands In and Around Town Scheme, the Scottish Rural Parliament, and the new LARCS IT system.

Although the meeting is for LEADER co-ordinators, an invite has also been extended to the Local Action Group Chairs to join for all or part of this meeting. Anyone who hasn’t yet registered their intention to attend should email wattersoni@stirling.gov.uk.

Launch of Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER

Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER are launching their new programme today (29 January) at 3pm in Callander. Attendees will find out about funding for rural development projects in rural Clackmannanshire, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire.

Angus LEADER launch

The new programme for Angus LEADER launches on Wednesday 3 February 2016 at Eassie and Nevay Hall, Balkeerie, Eassie, Angus.

Communities, businesses and organisations in Angus are invited to the launch of the Angus LEADER fund for community-led local rural development projects.

The event is filling up however there are still spaces available.

Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER launch

The new Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER programme launched earlier this month, with over 100 people braving wintry conditions to attend. Find out more in our Event Report from the launch.

Outer Hebrides LEADER Coordinator vacancy

A temporary Outer Hebrides LEADER Coordinator post is currently being advertised. The closing date for applications is 15 February.

Man holding up letters that spell job
Meet the funders at Outer Hebrides events

A series of Meet the Funder roadshows are taking place across the Outer Hebrides this February to mark the launch of the Outer Hebrides LEADER and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020 Programmes.

Dumfries & Galloway LEADER events

Events coming up in New Galloway on 3 February and Stranraer on 11 February are a chance to find out about funding available through the Dumfries & Galloway LEADER 2014-2020 programme.

Report from study visit to Dumfries and Galloway available

A report from a study visit to Dumfries and Galloway by Ceredigion and Cairngorms LEADER Local Action Groups is now available.

Angus LEADER welcomes Borjormi visitors

Angus LAG is supporting the development of a rural strategy for the Borjormi area of Georgia. Eleven Georgian visitors will visit Angus during the week of 1 to 5 February looking at some of the successful projects from the previous programme, and meeting key players from the Scottish and European LEADER scene.

Members wanted for LAGs and FLAGs

A number of areas are seeking volunteers to help deliver LEADER and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

News from Scottish Rural Network
Cooperation offer

Local Action Group West Charente - Cognac land - in France are looking for project partners in Scotland interested in transnational cooperation, rural development, agriculture and spirits.

Vines in French landscape
Expression of Interest update

As reported in last month's newsletter, before Christmas we were made aware of an issue with a small number of Expression of Interest submissions not being received by Local Action Groups.

We think this is an issue with permissions and quarantine at the LAG end as the emails are being sent from our website.

We've now sent reports of all Expressions of Interest to all Local Action Groups who receive them directly from the Scottish Rural Network website to check that they have been received as expected.

The good news is that the issue has not affected many Expressions of Interest.

If your IT department would like more information on the issue please email norette@ruralnetwork.scot and confirm which mail service you use, for example Outlook. Norette will then ask our web developers to send further information.

If your Local Action Group would like to receive a fortnightly report of EoI submissions from now on please email norette@ruralnetwork.scot.

Scottish Charity Awards open for nominations

This year's Scottish Charity Awards are now open for entries until 18 March. It would be great to see some finalists from rural Scotland. If you know a fantastic project or organisation that deserves special recognition, or an individual that goes the extra mile for their community, why not nominate them?

bird's eye view of Scottish Charity Awards dinner
News from Europe
January newsletter from European Network for Rural Development

The January edition of the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) newsletter includes information on a new study examining various approaches to implementing Community-Led Local Development and Integrated Territorial Investments.

To subscribe to the ENRD Newsletter send an email to subscribe@enrd.eu.

FARNET seminar information available

FARNET is the community of people implementing Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The first FARNET transnational seminar of the new programming period took place in Edinburgh in December. Information from the event including photos, presentations and infographic posters on CLLD across Europe are now available online.

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