Ayrshire LAG ready to launch new programme

The Ayrshire LEADER Local Action Group is ready to launch their new programme. In this article, Sarah Baird from the Local Action Group support team tells us more.

The new Ayrshire 2015-2020 Local Action Group (LAG) was appointed at an inaugural meeting held in January 2015 with Chris Savage as Chair and Maggie Broadley as Vice-Chair. Chris is Estates Manager with Culzean and Cassillis Estate and Maggie is Executive Director for Craft Town Scotland - so we are very fortunate to have well-respected rural ambassadors in Chris and Maggie who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Group.

The LAG has spent this year ensuring they have the knowledge, understanding and processes in place to deliver a truly Community-led Local Development Strategy. The Ayrshire Strategy is firmly grounded in the needs and wishes of people who live and work in Ayrshire addressing he key priorities of rural Ayrshire and supporting economic growth, environmental sustainability and vibrant rural and coastal communities.

Sarah Baird from the LAG support team commented:

"This is going to be our second LEADER and EMFF Programmes here in Ayrshire and the Local Action Group and LAG support team are very much looking forward to working with communities, businesses and stakeholders to ensure we maximise opportunities in Ayrshire."

We have five key priority areas for the new cycle:

• Fostering Business and Enterprise
• Connecting People and Places
• Promoting Tourism Culture & Heritage
• Celebrating our Natural Environment
• Supporting Coastal Communities

We are confident we can deliver a strategy that provides the investment to inspire, build confidence and strengthen local communities and businesses, generating new opportunities to support resilience and wellbeing across Ayrshire. There are five Thematic Action Groups (TAGs) who will drive each priority area forward, promote and animate, determine applications, review and monitor thematic activities and develop and commission strategic thematic projects on behalf of the LAG. In the photo above you can see the Fostering Business and Enterprise Group in action.

There is currently a team of three full-time staff who will deliver the multi-fund programme (LEADER and EMFF) and will shortly add to the team as we currently are recruiting for a Rural Development Officer to further strengthen the support provided to applicants.

Ayrshire Local Action Group will open for full applications from week commencing 11 January 2016.

We will be keen to work with other Local Action Groups across Scotland and beyond to share knowledge and experience and hopefully cooperate on some new initiatives. Please do not hesitate to contact Sarah by emailing sarah.baird@ayrshire-leader.com or call 01292 616655. should you require any information.

Visit the Ayrshire LEADER website for more information.