Angus LEADER funding enhances advice services

Funding from Angus LEADER has helped to enhance rural advice services in the area.

The Angus Financial Inclusion Partnership (AFIP) received an award of £4,000 from the Angus LEADER Programme, via Angus Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), to help carry out a rural advice feasibility study. The Partnership has been looking at ways to break down financial barriers faced by rural residents when accessing services.

AFIP has been developing closer working relationships between the council, health and the voluntary sector so as to develop and deliver support services that help people in Angus overcome issues caused by financial exclusion. Of particular concern was the situation of those in more rural parts of Angus who face additional costs when accessing services, as well challenges faced by residents as a result of on-going welfare reforms. A consultant carried out the study and a report followed.

Angus CAB’s Kathy Anderson, who is chair of AFIP, said:

"This research has looked at the need for advice services across rural Angus and has identified possible options for providing accessible services to all residents.

"We hope that the group will now be able to take some of the recommendations forwards and improve services for local residents."

Angus LAG LEADER 2014 -2020 rural development programme is part-funded by the Scottish Government and the European Community and aims to improve the quality of life and prosperity in rural communities through locally driven initiatives and projects.

The Angus LEADER Local Action Group (LAG), comprising of representatives from local communities, businesses and organisations with an interest in rural development, meets quarterly to approve LEADER grants. The group oversees a grant fund of approximately £2million and assesses and recommends projects for approval based on the delivery of the outcomes of the Local Development Strategy.

Visit the Angus LEADER website for more information.

More about LEADER across Scotland

You can find out about LEADER across Scotland in the LEADER section of our website, where you can also submit an Expression of Interest form if you have an idea for a project.

And watch our short film below to find out more about six inspiring projects that received funding in the LEADER 2007-2013 programme.

Scottish LEADER programme from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.