Kilkenny LEADER Partnership opens consultation on new LEADER programme

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) opens its community consultation on the design of the new LEADER rural development programme this Friday, January 20 at noon.

The LEADER consultations will provide all the available information on the new LEADER programme to commence later this year and run to the end of 2027, and will invite contributions from communities, businesses and other stakeholders in the county on the overall design and focus of the programme that will be worth €6.1 million in supports to Kilkenny over the five-year period of the programme.

KLP’s Board of Directors has already submitted its formal Expression Interest to the Department of Rural and Community Development to continue as the ‘local action group’ (LAG) for LEADER. Kilkenny Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is among the stakeholders and interest groups that KLP will consult over the next few weeks.

Following extensive consultations, KLP hope to submit their final Local Development Strategy for LEADER in March with a view to having the new programme operational in the spring.

The formal opening of the consultations will be followed in the afternoon (1pm to 3 pm) by the first of a short series of workshops for community groups interested in optimising the Smart Village process to the benefit of their community.

As the Smart Village concept is a key part of the new LEADER programme guidelines and is being supported by KLP in its draft proposals, the training workshop will be of benefit to those groups and small businesses seeking to avail of LEADER support.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan will be the guest of honour at the event.

This initial Smart Village workshop for those who could not attend the launch, will be repeated on the morning of the following day, Saturday, January 21, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm in Thomastown Concert Hall. Lunch will be included for registered attendees at both training events. Registration by Eventbrite link is required for either event.

Kilkenny Smart Village workshop: Fri 20th-1 to 3 pm https://SmartVillagesSpringHillKilkenny.eventbrite.com. 

Thomastown Smart Village workshop: Sat 21st 10.30 am to 12.30 pm https://SmartVillagesThomastown.eventbrite.com.