INFORMATION MEETINGS in advance of the long-awaited commencement of the new LEADER funding programme will take place across the county over the coming weeks.

The programme will facilitate the investing of almost €8 million worth of grant aid in innovative community and enterprise projects throughout County Wexford up to 2020.

Details of the priorities for funding in the new programme, as well as an overview of the application process, will be outlined at the information evenings.

Meetings, commencing at 8pm, will take place at: Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, on Monday September 12^th; Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Wednesday September 14^th; Talbot Hotel, Wexford, on Monday September 19^th and Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, on Wednesday September 21^st.

Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Wexford Local Development (WLD) has responsibility for the delivery of the new Programme in County Wexford under the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The LEADER Programme is 63 per cent funded by the EU and 37 per cent funded by the Irish Exchequer and focuses on “promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.”

Following a public consultation process across the County, a number of key objectives focusing on Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Rural Environment have been agreed.

These objectives reflect the key challenges facing County Wexford with regard to economic recovery, employment creation and tackling social exclusion.

In a change from the previous programme, projects in the Wexford town area will now be eligible for LEADER funding.

See more in the Wexford Echo.