Town residents invited to meeting to apply for €4.7m Laois Leader funding

No projects in Mountmellick have yet applied for a share in the latest pot of money from Laois Leader.

Some €4.7 million is available to Laois but the historic town could miss out, warns a member of the Leader Local Action Group (LAG).

Fran Baker from Mountmellick told the Leinster Express / Laois Live about his concern.

"We have lots of community groups in Mountmellick but none have looked to access this money. It could be for developing businesses as well.

"There is €4.7m to be distributed in Laois, in grants of up to 75%. I'm encouraging all local community groups, businesses and individuals to send a representative to a meeting we are holding.

"There is money to be got, and the people of Mountmellick need to access this, or at least to apply for it. There is definitely a chance of funding," he urged.

A meeting is to take place in the town on Wednesday, October 1, at the MDA building in Irishtown, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Individuals, businesses and community groups are being invited to learn how to make their application.

Two more information days will follow, in Borris-in-Ossory Innovation Centre on October 15 at the same time, and in St Bernadettes Hall, Errill on November 5, also from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Businesses in the sector of Food, Craft, Tourism, Manufacturing, Technology, the Creative Industries, or Social Enterprises can all apply for grant aid. So too can community organisations for the development or upgrading of community and public amenities and buildings. There is money too for the upgrading or creation of recreation infrastructure.

Read also: Big Team Leon fundraiser in Mountmellick

LEADER will also fund projects aimed at benefiting specific groups within the community such as older people, young people, people living in rural isolation, migrants and people with disabilities. They also help the development of community-owned renewable energy projects, enhancement & protection of watercourses and biodiversity.

Priority will be given to: Green and Circular economy businesses, Agricultural diversification, Rural Food Production, Tourism & Recreation, Rural Economic Development, Enterprise Development & Job Creation, Social, Community & Cooperative Enterprises, Rural Infrastructure & Accessible Services, Youth, Optimising Digital Connectivity, Sustainable Development of Rural Environment, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

LEADER grants work in arrears, so applicants must have proof of match and bridging funding to apply.

See the application form here.

The LEADER 2023-2027 Programme, co-funded by both the EU and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, is a programme to support communities and businesses across Laois to build on what they have in their local area, by overcoming social and economic challenges to protect and enhance their local environment.