LEADER Rural Grants Programme Evaluation

Tender description

LEADER is a rural grants programme. It is a European Union Initiative for assisting rural communities to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. The grants were funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and LEADER is now part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which is managed nationally, by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It is a locally based bottom-up approach that provides opportunities for local communities to identify their needs and provide funding towards these needs through a 'Local Action Group' (LAG). Each LAG is made up of members drawn from the local public, private and third sectors. Membership was open to any individual or organisation with an interest in local rural issues, with permanent representation from the Accountable Body which for our programme is Nottinghamshire County council. Nottinghamshire County Council’s Growth, Infrastructure and Development team, as the accountable body, is seeking to procure an independent evaluation of the LEADER project.