HOME ABOUT US PROGRAMMES PROJECTS SERVICE PROJECTS POLICIES WESTMEATH TALKS SEARCH Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 (LEADER) The aim of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) is to improve the Quality of Life in rural areas and to encourage Diversification of the Rural Economy. The Programme covers all rural areas of Westmeath but excludes the areas within the Town Council boundaries of Athlone and Mullingar. As was the case with the previous LEADER programmes, the Rural Development Programme places major emphasis on the implementation of innovative approaches to rural development at a local level. Support will be provided for the generation of economic activity and enterprise, including diversification into non-agricultural activities, the creation of new and the expansion of existing enterprises, job creation and sustaining of existing jobs as well as the generation of additional and alternative incomes in rural areas. The encouragement of tourism activities and the conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage, village enhancement works and the provision of community facilities such as community centres and playgrounds can also be supported under the Programme. Aid is also available in respect of Analysis and Development (Feasibility Studies, Business Plans, Tidy Towns Plans etc.) across Measures. Aid will take the form of support under the following measures: 311. Diversification into non Agricultural Activities 312 Business Creation & Development (Enterprise) 313. Encouragement of Tourism Activities 321. Basic Services for the Economy & Rural Population 322. Village Renewal Development 323. Conservation Upgrading of Rural Heritage 331. Training & Information 341. Skills acqusisition animation implementation of local development strategies 421. Implementing Co-operation Projects To view list of Projects supported by Rural Development Programme in Westmeath RDP Projects 2013 07 Jul 2017 MOLLIE MOO'S PET FARM LAUNCH THEIR NEW BOOK "MOLLIE MOO'S NEW SHOE" 29/06/2017 Congratulations to Linda at Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm on the launch of her book “Mollie Moo’s New Shoe” which took place on 29th June 2017. Located at Tudenham close to Lough Ennell, Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm provides a fantastic educational and fun day out for families and groups alike. There is a wide variety of animals for visitors to meet including alpacas, pigs, horses, calves, sheep, lambs, goats, donkeys etc with new arrivals on the farm a regular occurrence! This family-run pet farm is a safe place for children to roam and learn about the animals and for adults to relax. The farm is fully wheelchair accessible and also has picnic area, playground, crazy golf and peddle cars. Children are also provided with a bag of food to feed the animals. So there’s plenty to see and do to pass away the days of summer at Mollie Moo’s! “Mollie Moo’s New Shoe” is on sale from the Pet Farm and also from Just Books in Mullingar. For further information please contact 087 7188 880 or E-mail info@molliemoos.ie Web: www.molliemoos.ie or checkout Mollie Moo’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/molliemoos/?fref=ts Print Tweet 20 May 2016 FINNISH VISIT TO WESTMEATH AND OFFALY MAY 2016 From the centre of Finland to the centre of Ireland... Earlier this month, Westmeath Community Development and Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC) welcomed a group of young people from the centre of Finland to the midlands of Ireland. Accompanying the group were representatives from two LEADER companies from the mid-Finland region: Anni Mari Isoherranean and Joanna Tiitto from Keskipieste LEADER and Rita Kovacs from Rieska LEADER. The group visited a number of youth, community and tourism projects whilst on their stay in the midlands including the Hill of Uisneach, Mullingar Youth Cafe, Moyvoughly Foroige Club and Dun na Si Heritage and Amenity Park in Moate in Westmeath. On the Offaly side the group visited youth groups and facilities in Edenderry, Ferbane and Birr as well as the Lough Boora Parklands. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 10 Mar 2016 LEADER DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS Westmeath Community Development is a Local Development Company that provides communities, individuals and businesses in Co Westmeath with a broad range of supports through a team of people who work collaboratively to deliver results. The company is preparing to implement the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) 2014 – 2020 on behalf of Westmeath Local Community Development Committee and now wishes to complement the team by filling two vacancies as outlined below. The company seeks suitably qualified candidates to fill two vacancies as outlined: Community Development Worker working with Rural Communities, Hard to Reach Communities and Rural Youth. Rural Development Specialist working on Farm Diversification, Renewable Energy, Food, Rural Environment and Broadband/ICT. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 25 Feb 2016 TWO FULL TIME VACANCIES WITH WESTMEATH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Westmeath Community Development is a Local Development Company that provides communities, individuals and businesses in Co Westmeath with a broad range of supports through a team of people who work collaboratively to deliver results. The company is preparing to implement the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) 2014 – 2020 on behalf of Westmeath Local Community Development Committee and now wishes to complement the team by filling two vacancies as outlined below. The company seeks suitably qualified candidates to fill two vacancies as outlined: Community Development Worker working with Rural Communities, Hard to Reach Communities and Rural Youth. Rural Development Specialist working on Farm Diversification, Renewable Energy, Food, Rural Environment and Broadband/ICT. CONTINUE READING Print Tweet 07 Oct 2015 DRAFT WESTMEATH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2014-2020 LEADER is an EU funded programme aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy. It supports the delivery of local development actions in rural communities and has formed part of EU funding supports since 1991. For the new LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, Westmeath Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) will be the Local Action Group with Westmeath Community Development Ltd as the lead Implementation Partner. A budget of €7.4m is available for Westmeath under this new Programme. In consultation with communities, state agencies and other relevant stakeholders, Westmeath Community Development Ltd. has prepared a draft Local Development Strategy for Co. Westmeath on behalf of the Local Action Group, Westmeath Local Community Development Committee. This draft Local Development Strategy 2014-2020 sets out the proposed objectives and actions for the new LEADER programme. It has been prepared in line with the Themes for the Programme as outlined by the EU and National Guidelines. They are as follows: Rural Economic Development/Enterprise Development and Job Creation in relation to: (a) Rural Tourism, (b) Enterprise Development, (c) Broadband, and (d) Rural Towns Social Inclusion through Building Community Capacity, Training and Animation in relation to Rural Environment: (a) Protection and sustainable use of water resources, (b) Protection and improvement of Biodiversity, and (c) Development of Renewable Energy. Comments on the draft Strategy are now invited from members of the public and should be forwarded on or before Friday, 23rd October, 2015 for the attention of: Bernie Leavy, Westmeath Community Development Ltd, Mullingar Enterprise Technology and Innovation Centre, Clonmore Business Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Email; bleavy@westcd.ie A copy of the Draft Local Development Strategy can be obtained by contacting Westmeath Community Development and clicking here to download Tel. (044) 9348571, email bleavy@westcd.ie or it can also be obtained from the following websites www.westcd.ie or www.westmeathcoco.ie Print Tweet MORE ARTICLES ... 20 years of LEADER 31/03 20 years of LEADER 30/03 20 Years of Leader 26-03 20 years of LEADER 24-03 1 2 3 4 LATEST NEWS FREE Mental Health & Wellbeing Online Workshops - Dec 21 WCD Staff will be WFH - Offices Closed from 19th Nov 21 CANCELLED - How to apply for Funding - Athlone 25-11-21 Vacancy: Community Mother Support Worker Athlone [Fixed Term Contract] FREE – Online Self-Care Session – 02/12/21 Twitter CONTACT US Mullingar E.T.I. Ctr, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath N91 X012 email: info@westcd.ie Ph: 044-9348571