Launch of Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Awards 2020

Hannah Downey
Wednesday 29 January 2020 - 11:33

The Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER team is delighted to announce the launch of the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Awards 2020.  These awards aim to recognise and celebrate the achievements of projects in the 2014 - 2020 LEADER Programme.

Project teams and members of the community who have been involved in projects are invited to submit their entries by 6th March if they want to be in with a chance of being shortlisted in one of the six award categories;

  • Biggest contribution to enterprise development locally.
  • Recognition for the project who is championing skills development, particularly for young people.
  • Local infrastructure & service improvement which has seen the biggest impact on the community. 
  • Projects developing community-based support networks leading to more active communities. 
  • Best Project Animation.
  • Outstanding contribution to LEADER.

The Team are happy to receive draft entries before the 7th February if applicants would like feedback prior to submitting their final entry. Three finalists will be chosen in each category and the shortlist will be publicised in April.

The winners will be announced at the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Awards Ceremony which will take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 7th May 2020.

Sharon Rice-Jones, Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme Coordinator said: “These awards offer a fantastic opportunity to promote and celebrate all the hard work and dedication of our communities and small and micro businesses’ achievements.  We want to showcase the many projects that are delivered in our area and thank those who dedicate their own time and energy to make a real difference throughout Rural Perth and Kinross.  With so many incredible projects and organisations funded through the LEADER programme we are looking forward to receiving the award and nomination submissions. “

Projects and organisations can download an entry form from www.pkleader.org  and are reminded to submit any drafts by 7th February and all final entries no later than 6th March. Applicants can submit one additional A4 page of information to support their application and should also include two high quality photos, entries should be emailed to ruralleader@pkc.gov.uk or posted to Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Team, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD.

About the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Fund

The LEADER, (‘Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale’),   Rural Development programme for Perth and Kinross was launched on Thursday 14 January 2016. 

Approximately £3.8 million of EU and Scottish Government SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme) funding is being invested in the local area between 2014 and 2020, bringing a boost to communities and the rural economy.

The funding has been directed towards the priorities identified in the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Programme Development Strategy and Business Plan, with the aim of helping to create a long-term legacy of vibrant, healthy and inclusive rural communities.  The priorities include Community Capacity Building, Rural Broadband, Youth Initiatives, Farm Diversification, Rural Enterprise and there are Open Challenge and Co-operation Projects Funds also.

Funding is allocated by the Rural Perth and Kinross Local Action Group, (LAG). This independent body consists of representatives from local businesses and public sector and third sector organisations.