Theme One emphasises the importance of supporting the rural economy, a key focus for rural development in County Meath. This involves promoting sustainable local economic growth, diversifying the rural economy, and creating employment opportunities for the local community, particularly for disadvantaged groups.
The green economy presents significant potential for employment opportunities in rural areas of County Meath. It is important to maximise the opportunities offered by the circular and bio economy. Ireland is particularly well-positioned to develop these economies due to our abundance of natural advantages, offering a unique chance to enhance sustainable development and job creation in the communities of County Meath.
Focusing on enterprise development and the goals of Irelands CAP Strategic Plan, this sub-theme highlights diversification opportunities for farm families. Agricultural diversification means using farm resources for non-agricultural purposes, such as farm shops and recreational activities. This approach aims to boost the economic resilience of farm families and support the rural economy of the county.
Tourism is a vital part of the Meaths economy, and it is important that LEADER continues to develop the tourism sector sustainably. Key areas for investment include outdoor rural recreation, cultural and heritage initiatives, festivals, and other events. These areas have significant potential to contribute to the sustainable development of rural tourism. Examples of actions that may be supported include:
All LEADER supported tourism projects must comply with relevant Fáilte Ireland and/or other sectoral standards.
There is a strong need to promote business development in rural areas by providing opportunities and support for businesses and individuals aiming to develop rural enterprises. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting female entrepreneurs in rural communities. LEADER can support micro, small, and medium enterprises as defined by the EU Commission (Recommendation 2003/361/EC5). Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have the primary responsibility for micro-enterprises in Ireland, so LEADER must complement rather than compete with LEO activities. Supported actions might include:
County Meath has experienced significant growth in the artisan food sector over the past decade, showcasing a thriving landscape of local, high-quality food products. This sector has become an essential part of the county's rural economy, contributing to local employment and the preservation of traditional food practices. LEADER is well-positioned to continue its strong support for the sector by investing in artisan and micro, small, and medium food producers. This support aims to:
Social enterprises are organisations that prioritise creating social, societal, or environmental benefits over generating profits for their owners. These enterprises are driven by a mission to address community needs and improve overall wellbeing, rather than solely focusing on financial gain. They reinvest their earnings into their mission, ensuring that their activities consistently contribute to the community's betterment. "Our Rural Future" identifies social enterprises as critical to the sustainability and vibrancy of local economies in rural areas.
These enterprises often step in to fill market gaps that are not appealing to commercially focused companies, which typically seek higher population densities or larger economies of scale to ensure profitability. In rural areas, the lower population density and limited economic opportunities can result in fewer services and support structures, leaving certain needs unmet. Social enterprises can address these gaps by providing essential services and creating opportunities tailored to the unique needs of rural communities. Examples include:
This theme focuses on ensuring social cohesion within County Meath, addressing not only economic development but also promoting social inclusion. As rural Ireland becomes increasingly diverse, it is essential to embrace this diversity and recognise the needs of all community members in future development efforts. People may be excluded and marginalised from participating in activities considered the norm for others due to inadequate income and resources. In rural areas, low population density, high levels of out-migration, and distance from urban centers can often result in fewer employment options and lower levels of service provision compared to urban areas. Physical isolation in rural areas also often exacerbates the experience of exclusion.
This sub-theme focuses on measures to develop and enhance rural infrastructure, aiming to create opportunities for more people to live and work in their rural communities. Improving infrastructure is vital for supporting the overall growth and sustainability of rural areas, making them more attractive and viable places for both residents and businesses.
This sub-theme aims to improve access to basic services for people living in rural and remote areas, as well as for groups at risk of social exclusion, including hard-to-reach and new communities. Enhancing service accessibility will help ensure that all members of rural communities can participate fully in social and economic activities.This may involve introducing new services or reintroducing previously withdrawn services in the following categories:
Digital connectivity is now essential for the development of rural areas, with the COVID-19 pandemic underscoring the importance of digitalisation in our daily lives. In addition to the need for robust IT infrastructure and connectivity, it is important to support the development of digital skills and literacy to enable rural residents to fully benefit from digitalisation. Reliable and high-speed broadband access is vital for the economic and social development of rural areas. High-quality broadband enables businesses to establish or remain based in rural areas, overcoming barriers related to market and service access. Increased broadband access can also support business growth and job creation. This sub-theme supports local actions that complement national initiatives aimed at developing a comprehensive rural broadband infrastructure. It does not cover most broadband infrastructure, as this falls under the National Broadband Plan. Instead, covered actions may include:
There are gaps in the diversity of activities available for young people in rural areas of County Meath, outside of sports. It is essential to encourage rural youth participation in issues that affect their daily lives, build their leadership capabilities, and provide ongoing input into the development of future rural youth initiatives. Promoting youth entrepreneurship and providing associated training can create better pathways for young people to access economic opportunities in rural areas. Actions that develop the social infrastructure of rural areas are required to help young people realise their potential. These actions might include:
Young people, particularly those who may be vulnerable, also have distinct needs regarding the type of services they may need to access. For the purposes of LEADER, young people are defined as individuals aged 15 to 40 years.
Recognising that sustainable development, climate change mitigation and adaptation are cross-cutting issues considered in all LEADER interventions, this theme focuses on several specific areas. The goal is to maximise the potential of environmental actions to contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities in County Meath. It focuses on using our local landscape, its features, and natural resources, while also raising environmental awareness and enhancing environmental protection.
This sub-theme emphasises the importance of protecting and sustainably using water resources. It aims to support initiatives that safeguard local biodiversity, ensuring that native species and habitats are preserved and enhanced. It also encourages the development and adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and bioenergy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote environmental sustainability.
This sub-theme focuses on raising awareness and developing engagement around climate change within rural communities. It aims to educate and empower residents to understand the impacts of climate change and develop local responses. Through the building of capacity at the community level, this sub-theme seeks to encourage proactive measures, such as community-led climate action plans, workshops, and educational programmes, to address and mitigate climate change effects.
This sub-theme provides support for projects that both mitigate and adapt to climate change. It encourages initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency, such as retrofitting buildings, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and implementing green technologies. It also supports adaptation measures to help rural communities cope with the impacts of climate change, such as improved infrastructure resilience, flood management systems, and sustainable land-use practices.
