Event report: LEADER Cooperation event

LEADER Local Action Groups from almost every part of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland gathered on 8 and 9 November in Newry, Co. Down, to exchange past experience and develop ideas for future cooperation.   

Hearing about the positive impacts of working jointly to benefit communities on both sides of the border really helped to highlight the importance of cooperation. 

Yes, it can take time. Yes, it can involve a lot of work. And yes, there can be differences of opinion, culture or beliefs. But everyone who spoke about their involvement with a cooperation project under the last LEADER programme said it was well worth it. They witnessed the many benefits to the local businesses and communities where they live, not to mention the bridges that had been mended.   

Attendees heard about many inspiring previous examples of cooperation and how the governments in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are committed to supporting more cooperation under the new LEADER programme (2014-20). But most of the time was used to allow the attendees to network and develop their cooperation ideas with other Local Action Groups (LAGs).   

Jody Fleck, from the Scottish Rural Network, attended the event and encouraged Local Action Groups in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to also consider possibilities for cooperating with areas in Scotland. He was delighted to see plenty of interest from LAGs to cooperate with Scottish LAGs and had requests to arrange follow-up discussions. At the end of the event, there was even a queue of LAGs who wanted to exchange contact details with Jody. 

So if you are involved with a LAG in Scotland and have an idea for a cooperation project that you would like to explore with a LAG from Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, please get in touch with Jody at: jody@ruralnetwork.scot.   

You can also find opportunities to collaborate on projects in our Cooperation offers section.