LEADER is a community-led, bottom-up approach that encourages cross-sector partnership working, networking and cooperation. The focus of the scheme is Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), and this is achieved by empowering Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the process of their own rural Development and allocating resources to them for this purpose.
PLANED was chosen as the Administrative Lead Body organisation to administer the LEADER Programme in Pembrokeshire and it has an Agreement in place with Welsh Government. As the Lead Body, PLANED employs the Team of Officers to assist funding applicants, it organises the LAG meetings and administers the Grant Funding approvals, it undertakes the Monitoring & Evaluation of the overall Programme and collates the evidence for the achieved Performance Indicators. It has the direct link to Wales Rural Network as part of the Welsh Government's Rural Development Plan for Wales.
Before commencing their LEADER programmes, every county was asked to establish a new Local Action Group (commonly referred to as a LAG). In Pembrokeshire, the Local Action Group is known as Arwain Sir Benfro. It brings together representatives from the public, private and community sector to deliver the Local Development Strategy (LDS) for Pembrokeshire.
LEADER is based on seven principles:
Local public-private partnership (Local Action Groups)
Area based local development strategies
Community participation – ‘bottom-up’ implementation of strategies
Integration
Innovation
Networking
Co-operation
The Local Development Strategy (LDS)
The LAG Arwain Sir Benfro is the decision-making body for allocating LEADER funds to projects in Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire has a Local Development Strategy (LDS) a five year plan of activity that provides the framework for how LEADER funds are used in the county.
The Local Development Strategy (LDS) document outlines needs and opportunities identified for Pembrokeshire.
Local Development Strategy (PDF)
All projects supported by the LAG must fit with the priorities set out within the LDS
Adding value to local identity and natural and cultural resources
Facilitating pre-commercial development, business partnerships and short supply chains
Exploring new ways of providing non-statutory local services
Renewable energy at community level
Exploitation of digital technology
Our 5 year plan
Local Development Strategy
Arwain Sir Benfro has a Local Development Strategy (LDS) – a five year plan of activity that we would like to see supported in Pembrokeshire. It contains a set of rural development actions and objectives.
The document was written after analysis and consultation in the county in 2014 and is reviewed annually. It identifies key areas for development and support which will ensure Pembrokeshire is prosperous and that it remains vibrant and special. The plan is a mandate for Arwain Sir Benfro to offer support for projects that can meet the needs identified. This process helps provide the LAG with a built-in ‘bottom-up’ direction for their LEADER work.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that any ideas submitted to Arwain Sir Benfro become the intellectual property of the Local Action Group – and as such may be developed and shared in the spirit of LEADER for the benefit of the county.