1. Regional Development Conference EU Context Finola Moylette Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government 17 July 2015

2. Outline of Presentation EU 2020 - Rural Development Policy LEADER 2014 – 2020 Investment in Agriculture and Rural Development in particular

3. Europe 2020 Strategy Future economic growth should be Smart, Sustainable, Inclusive Policy overview 2014 - 2010

4. EU 2020 Policy overview Focus on 5 ambitious goals setting headline targets for 1. Employment 75% of the 20-64 year-olds to be employed 2. R&D / innovation 3% of the EU's GDP (public and private combined) to be invested in R&D/innovation 3. Education Reducing school drop-out rates below 10% at least 40% of 30-34–year-olds completing third level education

5. EU 2020 Policy overview 4. Climate change / energy greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 20% (or even 30% 20% of energy from renewables 20% increase in energy efficiency 5. Poverty / social exclusion at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion

6. Common Agriculture Policy In line with Europe 2020 The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) has set 3 long-term strategic objectives -Improving the competitiveness of agriculture; -The sustainable management of natural resources and climate action; - A balanced territorial development of rural areas.

7. 2014-2020 Changes to the EAFRD Regulatory Framework Moved away from the Axis structure of the 2007-2013 period Based on 6 priority areas Each priority also has a number of specific focus areas 3 Cross Cutting Themes: Innovation, Climate Change and Environment

8. Rural Development Priorities Six Priorities for Rural Development 1.Fostering knowledge transfer in agriculture, forestry and rural areas; 2.Enhancing the competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability; 3.Promoting food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture; 4.Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry; 5.Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors; and 6. Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.

9. LEADER -LEADER is specifically programmed under priority 6: promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas. -Each RDP priority is further defined by a number of specific focus areas. -Focus Areas for LEADER: Priority 6: -Facilitating diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation; -Promoting local development in rural areas; -Enhancing access to, use and quality of ICT in rural areas

10. LEADER 2014-2020 A Community Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, LEADER assigns the decision making for project funding to Local Action Groups however indicative themes are outlined in the Operational Programme. These themes have emerged as areas of concern from the consultation process and SWOT analysis including the 2014 report of the Commission on the Economic Development of Rural Areas – CEDRA. Designed to support Local Development Strategies to address the strategic goals of Europe 2020 and national development priorities.

11. Operational Programme 2014-2020-LEADER The SWOT and needs analysis identified a number of challenges in rural Ireland for which a community led local development methodology such as CLLD or LEADER is an appropriate delivery mechanism. Involvement of all members of the community in the development process and the need to ensure that rural development interventions are an integral part of all plans and policies designed to address local development. The new Operational Programme is More flexible: Projects that support the aims and objectives of the LDS will be eligible.

12. Indicative Themes 1. Enterprise Development and Job Creation –Rural Tourism - rural recreation, adventure and food tourism, culture, heritage –Enterprise Development – Artisan Foods, Renewable Energies, Social Enterprise –Broadband – increased access, training and capacity building –Rural Towns – integrated initiatives to support towns and their hinterlands 2. Social inclusion through building community capacity, training and animation –Basic services targeted at the to reach communities –Rural Youth 3. Rural Environment –Protection and sustainable use of water resources –Protection and improvement of local biodiversity –Development of renewable energy

13. LEADER 2014-2020 time line LEADER Local Development Strategy Selection Process 2014-2020 Stage Indicative Date Stage 1: Expression of Interest Complete in July 2015 Stage 2: Invitation to Submit LDSComplete in July 2015 Assessment of LDSOn-going from Aug/Sect 2015 Approval of LDSOn-going from end Sept 2015 Commencement of LDSOn-going from end Sept 2015

14. Total CAP Funding 2007 – 2013 NationallyWestern Region Total €16,533.16m€5,244.41 = 31.72% Average no of recipients annually 137,60555,603 = 40.41% Average annual payment €14,995€11,848 = 79%

15. Funding on a County Basis County Total paid (M) Average Number Paid Average payment CLARE756.686,77013,946.96 DONEGAL854.388,94711,934.73 GALWAY1,278.0413,30911,983.77 LEITRIM356.913,93011,318.37 MAYO1,018.6112,28910,347.51 ROSCOMMO N585.825,90212,382.89 SLIGO393.964,45611,026.85 Total 5,244.41 55,603 11,848.73

16. RDP 2007 – 2013 Funding €5.778 billion in total €2.339 billion funded by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) €3.438 billion by the National Exchequer €425m to LEADER originally – final estimate €370m € 116m to the Western Region - 31.35%

17. Breakdown by LAG LAG Revised Axes 3 & 4 Allocation Project Commitments Amount Paid Projects Clare Local Development Company Ltd.€16,175,841€12,227,391.00€11,905,871.00 Inishowen Development Partnership€7,410,663€5,814,768.65€5,791,797.02 Donegal Local Development Company Ltd.€13,065,427€9,638,086.56€9,615,359.32 FORUM Connemara Ltd.€7,925,982€4,908,458.94€4,655,110.08 Galway Rural Development Company€12,512,676€9,448,657.33€9,172,736.88 Comhar na nOileáin Teoranta€7,218,571€5,700,230.96€5,245,406.43 Leitrim Integrated Development Co Ltd€10,257,659€7,921,015.41€7,748,591.83 Roscommon Integrated Development Company€11,230,957€8,241,941.12€7,995,244.04 Sligo LEADER Partnership Company Ltd€9,788,645€7,547,146.90€7,455,896.99 Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Co.€9,605,562€7,540,716.36€3,956,738.02 South West Mayo Development Company Ltd€10,658,727€8,219,528.88€7,827,130.16 Total€115,850,710€87,207,942€81,369,882

18. Financial Allocations RDP 2014-2020 Total Allocation of €2.19billion over 7 years (EU contribution) €313 million per annum to Ireland under Pillar 2/EAFRD fund Co-Funded by the Exchequer 7% allocated to LEADER (Minimum 5%) €153 million EAFRD allocated to LEADER over 7 years Co-financing rate for LEADER 65%. LEADER programme complement €250million (€10m co- operation, €5 million Artisan Foods), €5m REDZ

19. Financial Allocations in the Western Region Clare€8,920,224 Donegal€12,913,877 Galway€12,195,883 Leitrim€5,998,474 Mayo €11,121,431 Roscommon€8,852,659 Sligo€7,655,647 Total €67,658,195 (30.75%) of €220m

20. Thank you.