LEADER in West Lothian

LEADER: is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas provides grants for projects that will benefit the rural communities of West Lothian is an acronym for: Liaison Entre Actions pour le Developpement de L’Economie Rurale (Links between actions for the development of the rural economy) funding programme runs until 2011/ 12

What is LEADER: A bottom up method of delivering support for rural development. Aimed primarily at small scale, community driven pilot projects that are innovative in nature Administered through a Local Action Group (LAG), with representatives from voluntary, community, youth and women’s groups as well as the main public sector bodies. Two themes chosen for West Lothian: Rural Community Capacity Revitalising Rural Communities

How Leader Works WL Local Action Group Advisory PanelCommunity Planning Partnerships (Particularly Community Regeneration Officers) West Lothian LEADER Project Officer Project Proposals

What Areas Are Eligible? Areas Under 10,000 Population

Target Groups Young people – educational achievement varies for the 14 to19 year old group The young, long-term unemployed – this group faces particular challenges in relation to employability, requiring targeted assistance for entry to the job market through training, further education, job experience, apprenticeship schemes Women – are particularly vulnerable to the fragility of part-time work and, for example, difficulties in accessing childcare and other services in the rural area

Target Groups Micro-enterprises – small businesses are vital to a dynamic rural economy, however, they may face obstacles and challenges, especially in their initial development period Social economy organisations – such as community development trusts and social enterprises need development support as they have a distinct and valuable role to play in helping create a strong and socially inclusive economy

Priorities and Projects Action on persistent youth unemployment Training in countryside and land based skills Renewable energy production and associated community benefits Rural community transport initiatives Action to improve the quality of rural employment Finding new ways to engage the hard to reach communities or groups

Priorities and Projects Tourism, leisure and outdoor activities linked to rural resources and Audit of rural facilities and resources Business co-operation projects in marketing or product development Rural business diversification Improving provision and access to information services for rural communities

Progress so far in West Lothian  Approval confirmed in February Commenced April £1.02m  Community consultations held in July- Sept 2008  October 2008, potential projects identified  Launch and first project approvals in Nov. 2008

Progress so far in West Lothian  Currently 14 projects approved, various durations with award commitment of £353,105 and a further £173,00 expected as a phase two of these.  Other projects currently under development  Half-way through programme, mid-term evaluation  Recession will have an effect on funding opportunities, have to be proactive

 Population growth remains healthy in the LEADER area  A shift in the growth of employment opportunities in West Lothian from manufacturing, banking, finance and insurance areas to other services, such as retail, and the construction sector  Wage levels in West Lothian still lag behind rest of Scotland  Signs of positive growth in the areas of tourism and food & drink with potential for growth in the energy sector LEADER - changing issues (1)

LEADER - changing issues (2)  Unemployment, especially for the youth, has risen markedly in the last year with the rural areas hit hardest  Access to services for those without private transport in rural areas remains problematic  Scope for LEADER to explore issues on access to labour market opportunities for rural residents

Rise in rural benefit claimants  Over the last four years, benefit claims increased by 12% in rural areas compared to 10% in all West Lothian  In the same period, youth benefit claims increased by 35% in rural areas compared to 23% in all West Lothian

Rise in rural youth unemployment  Over the last four years, youth unemployment increased by 88% in rural areas compared to 68% for all West Lothian

Current Projects Community Chest Grant Scheme Reach Out Celebrating Our Shale Oil Heritage Battle of Linlithgow Bridge Heritage Trail Polkemmet Country Park Fauldhouse Community Hub Maximising Support for Rural Businesses On-line database Winchburgh Connected Fauldhouse Forest Employability Project Rural Outreach Counsellor For Young People Blackburn &Seafield Credit Union Armadale Unique Youth Space Stoneyburn & Breich Valley Employment project

 New territory for West Lothian  Initial progress generating projects was slow  Autumn development work came to fruition  Greater emphasis on tackling youth unemployment and training issues  Challenges for the future  New responsibilities?  Ensuring projects operate to optimum  Claims and monitoring  Strengthening the LAG  More community-led projects Conclusions