The Local Action Group

Every LEADER programme is run by a Local Action Group (LAG). The LAG is a partnership of local rural businesses, farmers, landowners, voluntary and community sector organisations, government bodies and others who together apply for funding under the rural development programme. Successful LEADER programmes, like ours, are then run by their LAG for the duration of the project - in our case from 2009 to 2013.

The role of the LAG is similar to a management board, or board of directors. It sets the overall strategy for the LEADER programme, formally known as The Local Development Strategy (LDS), and is responsible for making it happen.

The LAG needs to be balanced and representative of the area, genuinely locally based and have an agreed structure and method of operation. At least 50% of its membership must be from outside the public sector (i.e. local private, voluntary and community sectors).

The LAG is not controlled by local government or any of the councils.

The Loddon and Eversley LAG currently comprises:

Key Facts about the Local Action Group
  • local unpaid volunteers
  • meet approximately 8 times a year
  • ensure the project meets local needs
  • approve grant funding applications
  • you can offer to join now if you want to contribute
Scheduled Meetings
The next meetings will take place on:
  • Wednesday March 2012 (to be confirmed)
Do contact Emily Preston to dicsuss how you can become involved.
Application approval meetings
These meetings follow the application checks and are the dates when projects will be reviewed and assessed.

An application and all of the supporting evidence must be submitted at least two weeks before the meeting when you want it to be assessed. You should also be available within those two weeks in case any last-minute details are needed.
  • Next meeting acording to demand
Do contact Emily Preston to dicsuss how you can become involved.
The new Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) opened for business on the 18th January 2008 and will run to 2013; it replaces the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The RDPE is jointly funded by the EU, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the UK Government.