LEADER Operating Rules

Rural Development Programme Ireland

2014 2020

Version 1.0 8th July 2016

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Acronyms and Terms .................................................................................................................................................. 6

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 8

2 Policy Context ................................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1 Policy Framework ....................................................................................................................... 9

2.2 LEADER Approach .................................................................................................................... 10

2.3 The Local Development Strategy ............................................................................................. 11

2.4 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................ 11

3 LEADER Themes and Areas Eligible for funding...................................................................................... 14 3.1 Applicable Geographical Areas ................................................................................................ 14

3.2 Programme Themes and Sub-Themes ..................................................................................... 14

3.3 Theme 1 Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation ................... 15

3.4 Theme 2 Social Inclusion ....................................................................................................... 18

3.5 Theme 3 Rural Environment ................................................................................................. 20

3.6 Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZs) .......................................................................... 21

3.7 Artisan Food Initiative .............................................................................................................. 22

3.8 Cross-Cutting Objectives .......................................................................................................... 22

4 LEADER Implementation Structure ............................................................................................................ 23

5 Local Action Groups Governance and Management Arrangements ...................................................... 25 5.1 Key LAG Implementation Tasks ............................................................................................... 25

5.2 LAG Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 26

5.3 LAG Governance ...................................................................................................................... 27

5.4 Conflict of Interest ................................................................................................................... 29

5.5 LAG Evaluation Committee ....................................................................................................... 30

5.6 Amendment to Local Development Strategy............................................................................. 32

6 Project Application and Assessment Arrangements ............................................................................... 33

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6.1 Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Application ............................................................................ 33

6.2 Targeted and Rolling Calls for EOIs ............................................................................................ 33

6.3 Eligibility of the Beneficiary ....................................................................................................... 35

6.4 Project Assessment .................................................................................................................. 36

training provider; ...................................................................................................................... 43

course participants (supported by signed attendance sheets with dates of attendance);.......... 43

the training location; and .......................................................................................................... 43

6.5 Procedures for building and land-use change ......................................................................... 43

6.6 Fragmentation of Projects ....................................................................................................... 46

6.7 LAG as Project Promoter or In-house Projects ...................................................................... 47

6.8 Approval and Refusal of EOIs and Project Applications ............................................................. 48

7 LEADER Co-operation Projects .................................................................................................................. 49 7.1 Co-operation ............................................................................................................................. 49

7.2 Selection of Inter-territorial and Transnational Co-operation Projects................................... 49

8 Commitment of LEADER Funding .............................................................................................................. 51 8.1 Grant offer ............................................................................................................................... 51

8.2 Project commencement .......................................................................................................... 51

8.3 Revising Funding Allocations ................................................................................................... 52

8.4 Expiration of Contracts ............................................................................................................ 53

8.5 Revocation of the Funding Offer.............................................................................................. 53

9 Funding (Grant) Amounts ........................................................................................................................... 55 9.1 Minimum Funding (Grant) Threshold ...................................................................................... 55

9.2 Project Grant Aid...................................................................................................................... 55

10 Project Matching Funding ........................................................................................................................... 58 10.1 Sources of Matching Funds ................................................................................................... 58

10.2 Private Matching Funds ........................................................................................................ 58

10.3 Public Matching Funds .......................................................................................................... 58

10.4 Evidence of Matching Funds and Bridging Finance .............................................................. 59

10.5 Contribution-in-Kind ............................................................................................................. 59

11 State Aid and De minimis Requirements ................................................................................................... 62 11.1 State Aid and De minimis ...................................................................................................... 62

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11.2 De minimis and the application process ............................................................................... 63

11.3 Aid Outside of De minimis for Community Bodies ................................................................ 64

12 The Project File and Claim Documentation ............................................................................................... 66 12.1 Project File ............................................................................................................................. 66

12.2 Grant Payment Claim ............................................................................................................ 68

13 Payment of Funds ........................................................................................................................................ 71 13.1 Transfer of funds to the LAG ................................................................................................. 71

13.2 Transfer of funds to project promoter .................................................................................. 71

13.3 Cash Payments ....................................................................................................................... 71

13.4 Prompt Payment Requirements ........................................................................................... 72

13.5 Financial and Other Charges and Legal Expenses ................................................................. 72

13.6 Phased Payments ..................................