County Waterford LEADER Programme 2023 - 2027 Public Consultation Survey

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG is preparing a Local Development Strategy on behalf of the Waterford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) for delivery of the new LEADER programme due to operate over the period 2023 to 2027.

It is anticipated that the new programme shall open for applications in Q4 2023, and we are keen to build on achievements of our delivery of previous programmes. Funding will be available for both private and community-based projects. There will be a particular focus on job creation, climate action, Smart villages/towns, and digital transformation in rural areas. It is envisaged the new programme will focus on the EU agenda of A Smarter Europe, a Greener Europe and Digital transformation and new more innovative approaches to rural development.

To decide how this funding can best be used within the County a Local Development Strategy (LDS) document is being prepared. This framework will be used to guide decision making by the Local Action Group (LAG) for the duration of the new programme.

This questionnaire has been designed to seek your views in several key areas and we would appreciate if you could please take the time to fully complete the survey. (5 minutes)

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* 1. Please indicate which Municipal District you are based within

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* 2. Please indicate which category best describes your status

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* 3. Please provide your name or that of your organisation (optional)

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* 4. Have you ever applied for LEADER funding under previous programmes ?

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* 5. The objective of the LEADER measure is to fund initiatives emerging from a Community Led Local Development approach at a local level that aims to address the needs of individual sub-regional areas. The programme will be divided into 3 indicative “LEADER Themes” as follows. Please indicate what actions or types of projects should be prioritised under each theme.

THEME 1: Economic Development and Job Creation

The need to support the development of the rural economy has been identified as a critical challenge in Ireland’s five-year rural development policy - Our Rural Future (2021-2025). Areas of focus under this them might include:


-        The Green Economy

-        Agricultural Diversification (e.g. glamping on farm)

-        Rural Tourism & Recreation

-        Enterprise Development

-        Rural Food Production

-        Social, Community & Cooperative Enterprises

Please list priorities;

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* 6. THEME 2: Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion

A central focus will be the need to not just support economic development but also to ensure that social inclusion is supported. Ireland is becoming increasingly diverse, and it is important to embrace this diversity and ensure that future community development recognises the needs of all members of society. Areas of focus under this theme might include:

-        Rural Infrastructure

-        Accessible Services

-        Optimising Digital Connectivity

-        Rural Youth

Please List Priorities;

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* 7. THEME 3: Sustainable Development of Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Climate Change is affecting multiple areas of life. LEADER could support ideas / interventions that contribute to the reduction of and response to the impacts of climate change. Areas of focus under this theme might include:

-            Sustainable Development of Rural Environment

-            Climate Change Capacity Building

-            Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption

Please List Priorities;

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* 8. What supports do you feel are required to encourage quality applications to a future programme

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* 9. Are you planning to make an application under the new LEADER programme round ?

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* 10. Please provide a brief description of your project proposal here.

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* 11. Please indicate which sub-theme/s you believe your project might best fit under?

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* 12. Please provide an indicative cost of the proposed project in euro

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* 13. In the context of the Local Development Strategy and the new LEADER programme please answer the following questions relating to the current aspects of County Waterford.

Internal attributes of County Waterford (Its Strengths and Weaknesses)

External factors affecting County Waterford (Opportunities that could be utilised for positive outcomes, Threats that can cause negative outcomes)


What do you think are the Strengths of County Waterford?

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* 14. What do you think are the Weaknesses of County Waterford?

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* 15. What do you think are the Opportunities?

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* 16. What do you think are the Threats?

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* 17. If there is anything else you would like to be considered in preparation of the new Local Development Strategy for County Waterford please insert here

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