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LEADER in West Lothian
LEADER:
is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas
provides grants for projects that will benefit the rural communities of West Lothian
is an acronym for: Liaison Entre Actions pour le Developpement de L’Economie Rurale (Links between actions for the development of the rural economy)
funding programme runs until 2011/ 12
What is LEADER:
A bottom up method of delivering support for rural development. Aimed primarily at small scale, community driven pilot projects that are innovative in nature
Administered through a Local Action Group (LAG), with representatives from voluntary, community, youth and women’s groups as well as the main public sector bodies.
Two themes chosen for West Lothian:
Rural Community Capacity Revitalising Rural Communities
How Leader Works
WL Local Action Group
Advisory PanelCommunity PlanningPartnerships(Particularly Community
Regeneration Officers)
West Lothian LEADER
Project Officer
Project Proposals
What Areas Are Eligible? Areas Under 10,000 Population
Target Groups Young people – educational achievement varies for
the 14 to19 year old group The young, long-term unemployed – this group
faces particular challenges in relation to employability, requiring targeted assistance for entry to the job market through training, further education, job experience, apprenticeship schemes
Women – are particularly vulnerable to the fragility of part-time work and, for example, difficulties in accessing childcare and other services in the rural area
Target Groups
Micro-enterprises – small businesses are vital to a dynamic rural economy, however, they may face obstacles and challenges, especially in their initial development period
Social economy organisations – such as community development trusts and social enterprises need development support as they have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong and socially inclusive economy
Priorities and Projects
Action on persistent youth unemployment
Training in countryside and land based skills
Renewable energy production and associated
community benefits
Rural community transport initiatives
Action to improve the quality of rural employment
Finding new ways to engage the hard to reach
communities or groups
Priorities and Projects
Tourism, leisure and outdoor activities linked to rural
resources and Audit of rural facilities and resources
Business co-operation projects in marketing or
product development
Rural business diversification
Improving provision and access to information
services for rural communities
Progress so far in West Lothian Approval confirmed in February 2008.
Commenced April 2008 - £1.02m
Community consultations held in July-
Sept 2008
October 2008, potential projects identified
Launch and first project approvals in Nov.
2008
Progress so far in West Lothian Currently 14 projects approved, various durations
with award commitment of £353,105 and a further
£173,00 expected as a phase two of these.
Other projects currently under development
Half-way through programme, mid-term evaluation
Recession will have an effect on funding
opportunities, have to be proactive
Population growth remains healthy in the LEADER area
A shift in the growth of employment opportunities in West Lothian from manufacturing, banking, finance and insurance areas to other services, such as retail, and the construction sector
Wage levels in West Lothian still lag behind rest of Scotland
Signs of positive growth in the areas of tourism and food & drink with potential for growth in the energy sector
LEADER - changing issues (1)
LEADER - changing issues (2)
Unemployment, especially for the youth, has risen markedly in the last year with the rural areas hit hardest
Access to services for those without private transport in rural areas remains problematic
Scope for LEADER to explore issues on access to labour market opportunities for rural residents
Rise in rural benefit claimants Rural benefit claimants 2006-2009
5,500
6,000
6,500
7,000
Qtr 3
2006
Qtr 3
2007
Qtr 3
2008
Qtr 3
2009
No
. o
f b
en
efi
t c
laim
an
ts
Total rural benefitclaimants
Over the last four years, benefit claims increased by 12% in rural areas compared to 10% in all West Lothian
In the same period, youth benefit claims increased by 35% in rural areas compared to 23% in all West Lothian
Rise in rural youth unemployment
Rural youth unemployment 2006-2009
0200400600800
No
. of
you
th u
nem
plo
yed
(J
SA
)
Rural youth unemployment
Over the last four years, youth unemployment increased by 88% in rural areas compared to 68% for all West Lothian
Current Projects Community Chest Grant
Scheme Reach Out Celebrating Our Shale Oil
Heritage Battle of Linlithgow Bridge
Heritage Trail Polkemmet Country Park Fauldhouse Community
Hub Maximising Support for
Rural Businesses On-line database
Winchburgh Connected Fauldhouse Forest
Employability Project Rural Outreach
Counsellor For Young People
Blackburn &Seafield Credit Union
Armadale Unique Youth Space
Stoneyburn & Breich Valley Employment project
New territory for West Lothian
Initial progress generating projects was slow
Autumn 2009 - development work came to fruition
Greater emphasis on tackling youth unemployment and training issues
Challenges for the future
New responsibilities?
Ensuring projects operate to optimum
Claims and monitoring
Strengthening the LAG
More community-led projects
Conclusions
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