Leader Group Funding

Ideas_Please

Morning All,
Just wondering has anyone dealt with any of the Leader Groups around the country regards getting some funding for their ideas?

Like a lot of people I've one or two ideas that I'd like to move to the next stage, but I could really do with some funding to carry out a feasibility study.

I've spoken to some Leader people but they weren't exactly the most user friendly and for some reason were not very forthcoming with information.

Any ideas or suggestions regards dealing with them would be very much appreciated. Of course are they any good at all or are they just yet another quango/talking shop?

Regards,
IP

Ideas_Please

Is there no one out there that's had any dealings with any of the regional Leader Groups? Your thoughts and/or suggestions would be welcome.

IP

NCG

We have dealt with a number of Leader applications and find Leader to be helpful. They also have money if your project is eligible. You really need to talk to your local Leader group though as your location will determine which group can help you. Also, while there are national guidlelines, local/regional groups may have their own policies on what they wish to support.

By way of example (in case your local group do not have a website) see:
http://cldc.ie/PDF/CLDC%20Leader%202007-2013.pdf

Tangled

Speak to your Enterprise Board - strictly speaking they are supposed to refer you to Leader, you don't go direct.

NCG

You certainly can go directly to a Leader group, at least in the areas Ihave dealt with. They usually have a protocol with the local County Enterprise Board alright so that they are not competing for the same project. No harm in contacting both - CEB's tend to be good for feasibility study grants anyway and both will at least give you feedback on your proposal. Both offer mentoring programs also which might be of help - often of greater value than a monetary grant.

Ideas_Please

Thanks v much