Three Galway groups are among 46 successful applicants in Stage 1 of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme.
Forum Connemara, Comhar na nOilean and Galway Rural Development will receive a share of the €2 million fund.
The successful applicants will now move on to Stage 2 which will see them develop their LEADER Local Development Strategies.
These strategies will support sustainable development in rural communities.
Making the announcement today, Minister Heather Humphreys said: “For over 30 years, the LEADER programme has been hugely effective in delivering locally-led projects that have brought major benefits to communities across Rural Ireland.
“LEADER operates on a bottom-up approach, which empowers local communities to deliver projects that will contribute greatly to revitalise rural Ireland’s towns and villages.”
The Minister invited the 46 groups to develop new and innovative strategies for their areas.
“I would encourage communities across the country to get involved in the development of the LEADER strategies to help ensure that LEADER can continue to deliver projects and initiatives that are directly linked to local needs and priorities,” she said.
