INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO LEADER PLUS

WHAT IS LEADER+

Whelk LEADER plus was a European Community Initiative that aimed to assist rural communities to improve their quality of life and economic prosperity. The LEADER PLUS programme ran from 2000 to 2006 and was intended to encourage and support communities, agencies and businesses in rural areas to think about the longer-term potential of their area.

It encouraged high-quality original strategies for sustainable development and encouraged innovative projects that: made best use of natural and cultural resources by:

developing access to and interpretation of coastal and woodland areas
improving and extending community involvement in the management of the natural environment
assisting niche tourism projects which rely on the natural and cultural heritage of the area
improving knowledge and understanding of the natural environment

helped remote and island communities to help themselves by:

establishing or strengthening community groups to deliver community priorities
developing inter-community networking
supporting innovative methods of establishing or retaining vital services and facilities
piloting new methods of addressing problems of housing and transport
piloting use of mobile resources
supporting the use of new materials and new building techniques

contributed to sustainable rural economies by:

supporting local entrepreneurs to develop new business opportunities

supporting community waste management or recycling projects

exploring the opportunities offered by sea lochs for haulage by sea

supporting projects which add value to local produce

creating a balance between the requirement for economic development and sustaining the environmen

developing Information and Communication Technology in support of remote communities

delivering improved service provision for remote provision

The Programme was focused on coastal and island communities. Projects in towns were only be eligible for WHELK funding if surrounding rural communities could benefit directly from the project

The LEADER plus Programme also placed strong emphasis on co-operation and networking between rural areas in the UK and throughout Europe. Additional money was available under the following measures for suitable projects.

Co-operation within Scotland and the United Kingdom - Transregional projects - International co-operation - Transnational projects