Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Cavan Monaghan Rural Development Co-op Society Ltd.

John Toland

Tourism Development Officer9th November 2007

‘How our LAG Operates?’

Presentation Format

• Introduction to region, LAG history to present day, current programmes & structure of LAG (CMRD)

• Management & decision making process

• Capacity Building – ‘Its about giving communities a voice’

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Presentation Format

• Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding?

• Looking forward…– ‘potential for cooperation between

Ireland, Estonia & Sweden?’

• Looking forward…

• Please feel free to ask questions?Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Introduction – ‘my role’• Administered LEADER / NDP Rural/Agri

Tourism measure €1.5 million

• Tourism Training/Development

• Tourism Networking

• Coordinated Grundtvig GOAL project

• Chairperson of Rural Tourism International Training Network

• www.talktourism.ie &

• www.cmrd.ie

Cavan Monaghan Rural Development Co-operative Society

Limited.Region Profile

• Two border counties of Cavan & Monaghan– Area – 3180 km sq

– Population – 112,000– Population density – 35 p/km sq

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Characteristics of Region

• Border area – 144km with N. Ireland

• Traditionally industry and enterprise focused around farming

• Rolling Drumlin landscape and lakes

• No population mass greater than 6,000

• Very little foreign investment

• Employment based on indigenous industry

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Farming Characteristics

• Land suitable for producing grass

• Small farm size

• Part-time farming

• Dairying plays key role

• Alternative farm enterprises– Mushrooms– Poultry

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

CMRD – Who we are?• Community based structure established in

1991– Pilot LAG in Ireland to deliver LEADER – Established under a co-operative structure– Dairy co-operatives in our region were key in

the establishment of CMRD– In 1991, chronic rural unemployment &

emigration, skilled activists at community level, emphasis on exploiting EU funds to maximum

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

CMRD – Who we are?• Current status, CMRD is;

– independent legal entity– primary rural development agency in area– non profit making organisation– Non-Government Organisation (NGO)– cost efficient, effective & proven track record– seen as one of strongest & proactive rural

development organisations in Ireland– multiple-programming agency (EU & state)

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Multiple-programming agency (€12m+)

• LEADER National Rural Development Prog

• Peace II Tourism, Crafts, Heritage

• Peace II 2 Heritage prog with Co Councils

• Peace II Tourism without Borders

• GRUNDTVIG GOAL online adult learning

• INTERREG IIIA Social economy networking

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Multiple-programming agency

• INTERREG IIIA – tourism training prog.

• Rural Social Scheme – community based employment for farm families

• LEADER cross border fund for Entrepreneurs

• CLAR village enhancement, signage, 3 phase electricity, community grants, top-up scheme

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

CMRD’s Main Roles

Administer LEADER Programme• Developmental Support

• Mentoring, training, product development, research, business plan assistance, marketing support

• Grant aiding of specific projects• Capital Grant Assistance• 2001-2006 - €4.96m LEADER• Additional LEADER NDP funds €300,000

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

NRDP Budget for Projects in Cavan-Monaghan (%)

Natural / built/ social/ cultural /

environment13%

Environmentally friendly

initiatives5%

Rural Tourism23%

Agri Tourism7%

Inter-territorial (within Ireland)

2%

Trans-national (within N Ireland)

1%

Agriculure, forestry & fisheries products

7%

Trans-national (within EU)

1%Rural Craft

Enterprises & local Services /

Facilities31%

Trans-national (outside EU)

0%

Analysis & Development

4%Training

6%

CMRD - Board• Social Partners

– 3 Co-operatives / Dairies– 3 Farm Organisations– 2 Financial Institutions– 6 Community & voluntary

sector

• CMRD Manager

• State Agencies– 2 Monaghan County Council– 2 Cavan County Council– 1 Monaghan Co. Enterprise

Board– 1 Cavan Co. Enterprise

Board– 1 National Farm Advisory

Body (Teagasc)– 1 National Tourism Body

(Fáilte Ireland)

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Staff Structure

• Manager– Administrator / Accounts– Tourism Development Officer – Crafts Development Officer– Community Development Officer– Rural Social Scheme Coordinator

• 6 supervisors of RSS over 200 workers in community

– 1.5 secretarial support staff

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• Board meets once a month– Chairperson, Vice, Treasurer & Secretary

• Administration Sub-committee– Financial reviews– Staffing issues (pay reviews, recruitment etc)

• Cohesion Committee– Government directive to amalgamate Rural

Development (LEADER) & Social Inclusion (Partnership)

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• Application process– Enquiries, initially encouraged to expand – Group or private applications treated the

same– Development staff ensure application meets

necessary criteria– Development staff evaluates/appraises

applications– Project evaluation presented to ‘Evaluation

Committee’

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• Application process– ‘Evaluation Committee’ is a sub-committee

of LAG Board– 10 on committee (some external members)– Meets once a month (11 months)– Project is recommended, rejected or differed – Projects are brought before Board for final

decision– Also CMRD led projects…

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• Communication strategy– Public awareness raising of eligibility criteria for

funding & principles of ‘bottom-up approach’ & ‘rural development’

– Achieved through public meetings, development staff, soft supports, needs analysis, web-sites,

– In-house Newsletter, Newspaper articles, advertising, radio interviews

– Partnership approach with local government agencies & other developmental bodies

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• Management has autonomy – As indeed do the Development Officers

• Principles of ‘Bottom-up Approach’ & ‘Rural Development’ are core to CMRD

• Management Report to Board– Adhere to best practice in terms of

management & administration– Auditing is time consuming & necessary

• Strategic Plan Developed by LAG

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

• External Influences– LAG seen as threat to local political (public)

representatives– Often project applications receive letters of

support– Rejected projects – Overall interference is minimal

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Any Questions???

LAG Management &Decision Making Process

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

What are your LAG priorities?

• Põlvamaa Partnership Board

• Valgamaa Partnership Board

• Võrumaa Partnership Board

• Tartumaa Arendusselts

• Piirveere Liider

• Write up on flip chart or board the 3 main priorities for your LAG.

LEADER - Basic Principles

• Social, Economic, Cultural and environmental Development

• Networking & Co-operation – skills transfer

• Small – Medium Scale Interventions

• Reinforce economic environment

• Flexibility

• Bottom Up approach – Local ownership

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Capacity Building• Overall adoption of a hands on approach by

LAG to up-skill ordinary members of the community

• All development staff should undertake to assist communities, by acting as mentors

• Identify needs…

• Its about working with communities where the structures do not exist!

• Set an example & show others the way!

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Capacity Building

• Training & Education (for example:)

– Management Skills for Voluntary Committees

– Facilitation Skills

– Awareness raising information events• Planning permission• Insurance for the voluntary sector

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Capacity Building

• Volunteerism Report

• Sustainable Development for Community Groups (2007)

• Annual Community Leadership Awards

• Stone wall building – traditional skill

• Rural Tourism Marketing & Promotion Training

• Local Tourist Guiding Course

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Any Questions???

Capacity Building –Its about giving communities a voice,

And about adopting your strategy to meet the communities needs…

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding???

NO…• LEADER funding remains the core

funding for the LAG

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding?

• In our case, the principles of Rural Development remain at the core &

• we have accessed other funds…

• Interim funds to carry LAG over between on period of funding to the next

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding?

• Many of the programmes were in partnership with other agencies

• Peace II – Heritage, Crafts & Tourism– Retained core rural development principles

• Issues– Auditing & reporting – LAG Objectives & drain on resources– Overcome by not undertaking lead role

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding?

• Access to EU funds– Communication strategy (will attract

partners)– Willingness to lead projects???– Greater emphasis on Transnational

projects between LAG’s across EU– Select projects which reflect the

activities/priorities of your LAG

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Any Questions???

Can a LAG operate without LEADER funding?

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

The Next Step??? 2007-2013

• Cohesion… – Top down approach…

– many ???

• Greater emphasis on cooperation across EU

• Discuss potential for projects… Ireland – Estonia - Sweden

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan and the European Union under the EAGGF structural fund.fund.

Thank you!

• John Tolandtourism@cmrd.ie +353 49 4338477

www.talktourism.iewww.cmrd.ie

www.cavanmonaghancrafts.com