WRP - Promoting Integrated Rural Development

Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd.
The Wicklow LEADER II Programme

LEADER

Leader is an EU initiative for rural development aimed at redressing the problems of rural depopulation by helping communities to become more involved in planning their own destinies by initiating innovative projects relevant to their region. These projects will stimulate economic and social activity as well as creating more employment.

WICKLOW RURAL PARTNERSHIP LTD.

Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd. is a community organization composed of a Board of Directors, an Advisory Council and five staff members. The main aim of the company is to establish a self-sustaining system for promoting employment into the next century through:

Providing finance through LEADER funding
Promoting new enterprises
Conserving a high quality natural environment
Developing a cultural environment

The main focus of the company is to implement the LEADER II programme but in addition the Company will identify and access other sources of funding for community groups and private individuals.

THE STAFF AT W. R. P. LTD.

Tom Gregan Chairman

Robert Downes Programme Manager
Majella Walsh Administrator
Jim Healy Rural Development Officer
Eileen Horgan Rural Development Officer
Denise Healy Secretary

Grant Aid Available:

Feasibility Studies - 80% to a maximum limit of £5,000.
Training - 100%
Employment Grants - £100/week subject to a maximum of £5,000 per newly created job.
Tourism Activities and Marketing - 50%
Agriculture, Food, Forestry & Fisheries - 50%
Small Firms, Craft Enterprises and Local Services - 50%
Preservation and Improvement of the Environmental and Living Conditions - 50%


Application Requirements:

Completed, signed and dated application form.
Business/Development Plan.
Planning Permission, where applicable.
Individual Tax Clearance Certificate
C2 Certificate if Contractors are used.
Current Insurance.
Three quotations for all work.
Other relevant Information.

Application Procedure:

Promoter completes application form and returns it to WRP Ltd.
Promoters application is acknowledged.
WRP Ltd. check eligibility of project and contact promoter.
WRP Ltd. assist Project Promoter in developing Business Plan.
When project application form and business plan is complete and all relevant information is received, the project is submitted to the Advisory Council for assessment.
The Advisory Council evaluates the project and meets the promoter to discuss the proposal.
The Advisory Council make a recommendation to the Board.
The final decision on grant aiding a project is made by the Board.
If the project is successful, a formal letter of approval is issued with a contract and conditions of grant aid.
Promoter signs formal acceptance and returns it to WRP Ltd. within fourteen days with administration fee.
Promoter commences work.

It is important to note that no grant aid can be obtained on work done before the formal acceptance is signed and returned to Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd.

Criteria for Selection of Projects:

Innovation - Projects must show "difference" and "novelty".
Job Creation.
Economic Viability & Sustainability.
Projects must have a market for the product.
Projects must not cause displacement of business/services already in operation.
Projects must not be in receipt of grant aid from any other agency.

Activities excluded from LEADER Funding in Wicklow:

Second Hand Equipment
Purchase of Land/Buildings
Working Capital (including stock)
Motor Vehicles or Mobile Equipment
Residential Housing
Tourism Accommodation
Loans
Golf Courses
Hotels
Leased Equipment
Retrospective Activity

Area Covered :

LEADER II covers the entire County of Wicklow excluding Bray, Rathmichael and part of Kilmacanogue.

Outline of a Business Plan

Introduction
Summary of Plan
Purpose
Structure
Finance

Background
Information on Promoters
Management Structure
Labour requirement

Production Process
Full description of Production Process or Service

Market and Marketing Strategy
- Information on:
Customers
Price
Competition
Promoters
Suppliers
Finance
Cashflow
Capital costs
Projected Profit & Loss Account and Balance

Assistance in the preparation of the business plan will be provided by Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd.

For further information and an application form contact -
Wicklow Rural Partnership Ltd., The Anne Devlin Annex, Fairgreen, Rathdrum, Co.Wicklow.

Tel:(0404)46977; Fax:(0404)46978; E-mail: wrp@iol.ie

County Wicklow Business Directory