The five year Rural Development LEADER programme on the island has recently finished, with over £4.5 million being invested in the Island’s rural economy.
LEADER funding was available to farmers, growers and other rural businesses as well as other organisations involved in supporting and developing the Island’s rural communities.
The focus of the programme was to support the Island’s rural economy and rural services.
During the lifetime of the programme funding was allocated to 117 projects right across the Island.
158 fulltime jobs were created or safeguarded.
90 businesses or organisations received direct support.
10 start-up businesses to social enterprises were supported.
126,000 rural residents have benefited from improved local services, facilities or activities.
Judi Griffin, Chairman Isle of Wight LEADER Local Action Group commented “I am extremely proud of what has been achieved over the last 5 years. LEADER reflects everything that is good about the Island. Everyone has come together to maximise the impact of these funds and LEADER has made such a difference to so many people on the Island.”
“We are not sitting back because it is important that we continue to build on the successes of the last programme by securing as much as we can from the next round of European funding, which will start on 1stJanuary 2015. The Island’s LEADER Group is currently preparing its bid, which will be assessed in competition with bids from other parts of the country.”
Key partners in the LEADER group include Isle of Wight Council (Accountable Body), AONB, Chamber of Commerce for Tourism and Industry, Community Action Isle of Wight, CLA, NFU and Natural Enterprise (Managing Agent).
As a result of its successes Isle of Wight LEADER is recognised as being one of the top performing LEADER groups in the country and is due to receive its second ministerial visit later in the year.
