A new Scottish Government programme aimed to empower rural communities will be launched in South Lanarkshire.
The new initiative will replace a previous programme which was funded by the European Union. The programme will draw on the successes of the past initiative.
The LEADER programme, which has operated across Lanarkshire for the past six years has received widespread approval and success, it was aimed at engaging resources, local knowledge and expertise of people and organisations in rural areas to help with future developments.
In May this year, the Scottish Government announced that the LEADER programme would be replaced with the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) which aims to develop the capacity and structures of the current Local Action Groups.
Options for funding through the new CLLD will be made through consultation and the decisions will be made by Local Action Group Members.
Councillor Robert Brown, chairman of community and enterprise resources, said: “The administration is determined to continue the tremendous success generated by the LEADER programme, something that the Lanarkshire Local Action Group has been key to.
“The unique partnership of public, private and third sector representatives has brought a great range of knowledge and expertise into play and we recognise that this is by far the best way to empower rural communities at a grassroots level and achieve meaningful and lasting results.”
He added: “As part of the consultation process to develop a rural vision for the fund, we are looking at holding a Rural Conference in October this year to raise awareness of CLLD and other funding, and share knowledge of the success of existing projects.
“We will also be looking to strengthen LAG membership by attracting new participation from the community, private and public sectors.
"The post-Covid landscape offers new opportunities for sustaining and enriching the community and economic life of the rural areas and I believe the Local Action Groups supported by the replacement funding are key to success.”
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