'Local Action' is the community-led element of the RDPE which delivers Axis 4 of the programme in the South West and implements the principles developed under previous EU funded LEADER programmes. Local Action Groups (LAGs), selected through an "open and competitive process", will deliver the activity in their areas. 
 
The aim of Local Action is to enable rural communities to diversify and strengthen their local economy and to improve the quality of life for people living in those communities, in particular building on the activities supported through other parts of the RDPE. 
 
The core objectives of Local Action are:

• Addressing economic under performance.
• Improving provision and access to services as a means of tackling disadvantage.
• Harnessing wider economic value from sustainable environmental quality.
• Developing local governance and delivery capacity in rural areas.

The budget for Local Action in the South West region is £28M over the programme period.

Expressions of Interest 
(4th October 2007 - 2nd January 2008) 
Thirty-five community partnerships expressed an interest in bidding for part of the Local Action fund for rural communities. The funding being sought was more than £86 million, which compares with the £28 million available. All of the groups that submitted Expressions of Interest received feedback in early February.

Interested in joining a partnership? 
Groups and individuals interested in joining a partnership to submit a bid are advised to contact the Local Action Group in their area. Contact details are available in the following document: Local Action Groups - Expressions of Interest (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 50.48kb). 
 
Submission of Full Bids 
 
Those community-based partnerships wishing to submit a full bid for Local Action funding have until 1700 on 23rd May to do so. All applicants are advised to refer to the latest guidance, which can be downloaded using the links below.

Downloads

Local Action: Brochure - Download the Local Action Brochure (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 3003.35kb) 
 
Local Action: Guidance for Applicants - Community based partnership interested in applying to deliver RDPE funding in their areas can download the guidance for prospective Local Action Groups, Expression of Interest Proforma and the Final bid format and assessment criteria. 
 
Local Action - Guide for Applicants (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 1006.95kb)  
 
Appendix 1 - Expression of interest pro forma (Microsoft Word Document - 407.55kb) 
(Please note: the deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest has now passed.) 
 
Updated Appendix 2 - Full bid format and assessment criteria (revised 01 May 08) (Microsoft Word Document - 489.47kb) 
 
Appendix 2 - Editable applicant details form and templates (Microsoft Word Document - 438.78kb) 
 
Appendix 3 - Assessment criteria and scoring (Microsoft Word Document - 390.14kb) 
 
Updated Local Action - Questions and Answers - 30 April 08 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 128.30kb) 
 
Local Action - Roadshow Presentation (October 2007) (Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation - 402.43kb) 
 
Local Action - Workshop Presentation (February 2008) (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 4831.92kb)  
 
Final bids need to be received no late than 1700 on Friday 23rd May 2008.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas