Partner Article

Call to action from rural funder

A £1M programme with funds available to back a wide range of projects in rural communities is urging individuals and groups to come forward with their ideas.

North Pennine Dales LEADER’s (NPDL) five-year programme has already supported 38 successful projects in Teesdale, Weardale, West Derwentside and South Tynedale, improving the quality of life for people living and working there in many different ways.

“Our aim is to work from the grass roots up with a community-led approach so we rely on people living in rural areas to come forward with projects,” said project co-ordinator Sue Ellwood.

“We have nearly £200,000 still available for the rest of this financial year so it is a great opportunity for people to move projects forward. We want to see that funding being used to benefit rural communities by improving the economy, services, facilities, local businesses, training opportunities and the environment. One of our aims is supporting projects that will help to retain young people in these areas.”

Projects that have already been supporterd by LEADER’s help include a new village shop in Allenheads; Bishop FM, a community radio station for South West Durham; an equipment hire service for clubs and groups in Teesdale; Tynedale Cycle Club events and NeST, a new centre for digital art in Barnard Castle.

Grants have also gone to an ambitious project for a new arts and media centre in Allendale; an extension of the South Tynedale Railway; a school’s environmental project; adventure and outdoor play areas, sports events and farm diversification projects.

“We love hearing about exciting, slightly off-the-wall ideas,” said Sue Ellwood, “although, obviously, they have to be viable and stand up. We want people to be imaginative and think about ideas that, for example, will generate income as well as improve facilities.

“We know there are many people working tirelessly to improve their rural communities and the commitment, time and effort they put in is amazing. Hopefully, LEADER can help them if they come and talk to us,” she added.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .