What is LEADER+?

LEADER+ is an acronym for the French title “Liaison Entre Actions pour le Development de L’Economie Rurale” – links between actions for the development of the rural economy. The LEADER+ programme, known locally as Rockingham Rural Revival, aims to encourage innovative and sustainable rural development projects led by local people.
 
The overall vision for Rockingham Rural Revival is
“ Inspiring action with local communities”

Projects must relate to one of the following themes:
Adding value to local products
Making the best use of natural and cultural resources
 
The main objective of Rockingham Rural Revival is to develop new approaches to build the capacity of the Forest communities to think about and contribute to the area’s long-term sustainable development. This will be achieved by:
Awareness raising and capacity building
Involvement and environmental action
Sustainable community enterprise

The target audiences are:
Women
Young people (<30)
Rural businesses and workers affected by restructuring

The Rockingham Rural Revival Local Action Group area
The parishes eligible for money from Rockingham Rural Revival are shown below.
Aldwincle
Apethorpe
Ashley
Ashton
Barnwell
Benefield
Blatherwycke
Brampton Ash
Brigstock
Bulwick
Burton Latimer
Collyweston
Cotterstock
Cottingham
Cranford
Deene
Deenethorpe
Denford
Desborough
Dingley
Duddington-with-Fineshade
East Carlton
Easton on the Hill
Fotheringhay
Geddington
Glapthorn
Grafton Underwood
Great Addington
Gretton
Harringworth
Islip
King’s Cliffe
Laxton
Lilford-Cum-Wigsthorpe
Little Addington
Lowick
Middleton
Nassington
Newton and Little Oakley
Oundle
Pilton
Polebrook
Rockingham
Rothwell
Rushton
Southwick
Stanion
Stoke Albany
Stoke Doyle
Sudborough
Sutton Bassett
Tansor
Thorpe Achurch
Thorpe Malsor
Thrapston
Titchmarsh
Twywell
Wadenhoe
Wakerley
Warkton
Warmington
Weekley
Weldon
Weston-by-Welland
Wilbarston
Woodford
Woodnewton
Yarwell
Please note:
All the money for individual projects within the Rockingham Forest area has now been allocated and no more applications can be submitted.

However, there is still money available to spend on co-operation, or joint, projects with other LEADER+ groups in the UK and Europe. The idea of joint working is to:

  • Pool resources
  • Share expertise or know-how
  • Enable a project to go ahead by achieving a critical mass
 
The Rockingham Forest Local Action Group is currently making links with a couple of other UK LEADER+ groups to explore potential project ideas for UK co-operation projects.
 

Firm links have already been made with a group in Denmark and the New Forest to work jointly on the ‘Youth Shelter Network’ project. This uses expertise and knowledge from the Danes for the construction of simple camping shelters, made out of local timber. Combined with composting toilets, these clusters of shelters will be suitable for hikers, school groups or anyone wishing to stay overnight in local woodland without the need to carry a tent. They will also be suitable for outdoor educational groups.