Welcome to Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER

Latest News
19 January 2012
Thinking of Applying for A Building Paths for Capacity Grant? then the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Community Partnership's Introduction to Path Survey and Design (led by Paths for All) will be invaluable.  The programme includes basic path survey principals, an introduction to design and problem solving, and also includes time to network and discuss aspirations, problems and solutions.  This free course will take place at Lochearnhead Hotel on Saturday 25th February from 10am to 4pm. To book contact Marie Harvey at the Community Partnership

16 January 2012
Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER LAG and local partners Falkirk Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Stirling Council, West Dunbartonshire Council and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority are just about to embark on a review of the current LEADER Programme and is seeking consultants to assist it in this process.  The contract is currently being advertised on the Public Contract Scotland website, with a closing date of 31 January 2012 Link

13th December 2011
FVL LEADER Suports Communities Along the Carron CLEAR Project CATCA is committed to the regeneration of the River Carron, its communities and adjacent land, from the Carron Valley Reservoir to the Firth of Forth in Grangemouth.  The project is aimed at transforming the 19.8 mile post industrial River Carron corridor into a positive area for people to enjoy, as well as a resource to stimulate the tourism and economy of the communities situated along the river. Read the full press release here

27 September 2011
Report on Forth Valley Next Generation Broadband visit to Sweden
A visit to Sweden took place at the end of August to learn about the roll out and use of fibre optic networks (allowing superfast and top quality internet, as well as video-conferencing, telephone and televison).  Delegates were drawn from all aspects of rural living and business in the Forth Valley, and all were amazed by how fibre optic networks have permeated everybody's lives in Sweden, making living and working so much easier, more comfortable, more productive, more efficent, more competitive, whilst also better for the environment. Download a copy of the report here or view the video report

20 September 2011
New Scottish LEADER Brochure available All 20 LEADER areas across Scotland have got together to produce a brochure for LEADER in Scotland.  Each area has selected 3 case studies to reflect a particular characteristic that LEADER aims to support, as well as giving examples that of community (or business) led economic, community and environmental activity.  Download a copy of the brochure from www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/3887

14 July 2011

Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER is now on Facebook!  If you want to receive the latest news about LEADER as it happens, news from the projects we are involved with and relevant news from other organisations in the area, then 'Like' our Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/fvlleader

12 July 2011

Are you interested in setting a up a Community Broadband Network? Then we want to hear from you!  Access to fast-speed broadband is an issue for a number of rural Forth Valley & Lomond communities, so if your community is keen to set up its own community broadband network, then please get in touch ketteridgea@stirling.gov.uk

10 June 2011
Newly launched! Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme in FVL LEADER area A new grant scheme aimed at small rural tourism businesses in the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER area has just been launched. This one year pilot will see Stirling Enterprise (STEP)'s Rural Business Advisor Sandy Slater work with small businesses and social enterprises to bring eligible projects to the FVL LEADER LAG for possible grant funding of up to £10,000. Click herefor more information. The full press release is available here

1 March 2011
Funding for Large Capital Projects up to £200k is still available from FVL LEADER, until funds run out.  LEADER now has the ability to fund large capital projects in the rural area, as long as these projects fit with the FVL LEADER Strategy and are led, managed (long term lease) or owned by the community.  A maximum of 50% of eligible project costs, up to £200k, is available. The application process is the same as for other LEADER projects, whereby an Initial Enquiry Form is required to register your project with us.

22 December 2010
High Speed Broadband for Rural Forth Valley Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Local Action Group is delighted at the news that its bid to bring WiMAX broadband to the Forth Valley as part of the Scottish Government’s Rural Broadband Challenge Fund was one of only five bids in Scotland to be approved by the Scottish Parliament last Friday. More...

20 September 2010
FVL LEADER Announces launch of Building Paths for Community Capacity Scheme
Small path projects are now eligible for support from community organisations based in the Forth Valley and Lomond area.  Awards of up to 50% of costs, maximum £10,000 are now available for groups who can show the path project will help build project management skills and experience for future community run projects.  Criteria for applying to the scheme and information on how to apply is available here

Next Deadline for Applications
Applications for the current round of LEADER funding must be with the LEADER office by 2 February 2012.  Applications for the next round will need to be with the LEADER office by 25 April 2012.

Fast track applications (under £5,000) can be submitted at any time.

LEADER is a rural development programme aimed at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature.  

We assist those inspired to take forward innovative or pilot projects which are supported by the wider community. By awarding grants of up to 50% of eligible costs, we want to help you to improve the quality of life in your communities in rural Forth Valley and Lomond through projects which bring about revitalised communities and enhanced natural environments.  

Our area includes rural Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Stirling and part of West Dunbartonshire lying within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. (It excludes Alloa, Bo'ness, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Polmont, Stenhousemuir and Stirling City).

For a map of our eligible area click here.

To view our promotional  flyer click here.

The Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme is managed by a Local Action Group or LAG which brings together people from the community, rural businesses and public agencies.
Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER is one of twenty LEADER programmes currently operating throughout rural Scotland.

Funding of £3.73 million has been awarded to the Forth Valley and Lomond area as part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013. For a link to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) click here.  For the latest information on issues affecting rural Scotland, please refer to the Scottish Rural Network website