LEADER has been one of the major initiatives for rural development since its launch in 1991. There have been three previous programmes (LEADER I, LEADER II and LEADER +) all building upon the successes of its predecessor.
Within the Rural Regeneration Zone there are four LEADER programmes all funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). These are:
• Northern Marches LEADER, a cross border collaboration with Cheshire West and Chester
• LEADER in the Shropshire Hills
• Herefordshire LEADER and
• Worcestershire LEADER
Together these four programmes attract £7.18m of LEADER funding. Each programme is overseen by a local partnership, known as a Local Action Group, with responsibility for developing and implementing projects aimed at improving the lives of local residents.
Contact details for each of the four programmes are:
Northern Marches LEADER – David Boyce on 01244 972672 or david.boyce@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
LEADER in the Shropshire Hills – Pete Banford on 01588 674089 or Pete.Banford@shropshire.gov.uk
Vital Herefordshire LEADER – Dawn Turner on 01432 261000 or dyturner@herefordshire.gov.uk
Worcestershire LEADER – Susan Crow on 01905 763763 or scrow@worcestershire.gov.uk