Call for Applications: LEADER Food Initiative – deadline 31 August

Interested enterprises should contact their Local Action Group (LAG) 

The Departments of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have announced a call for applications to the LEADER Food Initiative.

The LEADER food Initiative is aimed at farmers and small producers keen to diversify, expand and develop on-farm diversification enterprises and artisan, micro and small food businesses, including processing facilities. The call is offering support for eligible projects from €5,000 up to €200,000 submitted by the Local Action Group/Implementing Partners to the DRCD. All projects must be fully completed by 31 March 2024.

The deadline for submissions is 31 August via Local Action Groups, with interested enterprises advised to make contact with their Local Action Group (LAG) as soon as possible.

Contact details for Local Action Groups in your area can be found here.

The LEADER food Initiative is supported by funds remaining under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. The next iteration of LEADER 2023-2027 starts later this year. For this upcoming programme, the Irish Organic Association made a submission to Local Action Groups nationwide to highlight the ways that organic enterprises can make an active contribution to the goals of LEADER.