There is now an opportunity for rural communities, organisations and businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber area to benefit directly from an initiative called LEADER, which is supported by the European Union and the UK Government. The term LEADER comes from the phrase - 'Liaison entre actions de développement de l’économie rurale' which can be translated as 'Integrated Rural Development'.

LEADER aims to assist rural communities to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area.
 

There are a number of Local Action Groups responsible for putting the LEADER element into practice as detailed below. For more information contact the LEADER Manager or Coordinator in your area.

North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: The area comprises the North York Moors National Park, the Howardian Hills AONB, the rural part of Redcar and Cleveland (East Cleveland) and the northern part of the Vale of Pickering.

THEMES:
□ Sustainable rural communities
o Support of rural business
o Community development
□ Conservation and enhancement of the rural heritage, recreation opportunities and environment
o Heritage
o Support for conservation related projects
o Recreation
o Tourism
□ Village renewal and development
o Village enhancement and coherence
o Basic access to services

CONTACT: Mike Horrocks, LEADER Programme Manager, by email: m.horrocks@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.ukor call him on 01439 770657. Web: http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/leader

Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: The area is totally within the boundaries of the County of North Yorkshire and includes the majority of the Districts of Craven and Richmondshire, and the rural parts of Harrogate Borough, together with a small area of Hambleton District.

PROGRAMME ACTIVITY
□ Developing Innovative Community Service Provision/Hubs and Promoting Community Cohesion
□ Conserving, Enhancing and Celebrating the Culture, heritage and Environment of the Yorkshire Dales
□ Developing Recreation and Tourism Opportunities Based on the Culture , heritage and Environment of the Yorkshire Dales
□ Supporting Diverse and Sustainable Rural Businesses
□ Promoting Distinctive Local products
□ Encouraging Collaborative Ventures within Supply Chains Based on Farming and the Products of Other Land Based Primary Products

CONTACT: http://www.ydmt.org/downloads.html. Rima Berry, LEADER Co-ordinator, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust: email: rima.berry@ydmt.org. Tel: 015242 51002.

Coast, Wolds, Wetland and Waterways LEADER Programme

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA: across most of the Rural East Riding and adjacent parishes in North Yorkshire.

PRIORITIES:
□ To maximise business opportunities throughout the delivery of the programme that lead to the development of new and existing local enterprises                     
□ To build capacity and empower rural communities (by drawing on the potential of the Area’s natural and cultural heritage).                                  
□ To stimulate the growth of the cultural and creative sectors through the development of creative space and capacity                         
□ Building on the potential of the Area’s natural heritage opportunities, develop local ownership of and participation in environmental management, planning and interpretation                                                                                                
□ To develop facilities and networks of activity that create a focus and enable understanding and connectivity to local heritage and landscape.

CONTACT: Web: http://www.ruralprogrammeseastyorkshire.co.uk/
Tel: (01759) 306624. Email: leader@eastriding.gov.uk