The NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RURAL ACTION PARTNERSHIP is pleased to announce the launch of a £1.5M funding programme to be allocated over the next four years across the rural areas of Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby and East Northamptonshire. This is part of the European Commission’s LEADER Approach, funded jointly by the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and administered through the East Midlands Development Agency as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The programme’s main objective is to stimulate economic activity in rural areas. 

LEADER is a french acronym meaning “Links between actions for the development of the rural economy”. The Partnership is made up of organisations representing the public, private and voluntary sectors and Northamptonshire ACRE is the Managing Partner.

To go to the North Northamptonshire LEADER project website, please click on the logo above.

If you are a prospective applicant, please visit the prospectus for some more information.

If you wish to proceed you will need to complete an Expression of Interest form which can be found here. Guidance Notes to accompany the EOI can be found here.

Below are two examples of projects that have been succesful in securing funding through the LEADER programme and are now up and running:

Collyweston Community Shop http://www.collywestonshop.co.uk/

and, Canoe2 http://www.canoe2.co.uk/index.php

If you would like further information about the LEADER Project please contact the LEADER Programme Manager, Thomas Meyer on 01604 825 894 or email thomas.meyer@northantsacre.org.uk