LEADER + - Background

The LEADER+ Programme is an EU Community Initiative, and is intended to be experimental and innovative, exploring and testing new approaches to rural development. The two main themes are:
. The use of know-how and new technology to make the products and services of rural areas more competitive
. Improving the quality of life in rural areas.

The Penistone & District LEADER+ programme is managed by the Partnership through the Local Action Group (LAG), which works closely with the Governement Office for Yorkshire and the Humber. The programme in Penistone has two target groups:
. Young people
. Rural businesses and households affected by restructuring.

Projects which meet these criteria fall into one of the following areas:
. Schemes to increase the skills of the community
. New rural services
. Rural heritage schemes
. Helping small firms and entrepeneurs to establish.

Consequently LEADER+ have supported projects such as the Youth Internet Cafe, the production of the 'Explorer's Guide to Penistone', and Penistone Business Support, amongst many others.

For full details, follow the links on the website pages to the Penistone Online website and the National LEADER+ website.