The Rural Development 2014 – 2020 EU Legislation sets out that all the Rural Development Priorities shall contribute to the cross-cutting objectives of climate change, environment and innovation mitigation and adaption.  Accordingly, these three cross-cutting themes are central to the LEADER Programme 2014 – 2020 that will provide €250 million to rural communities over the next 4-5 years.  Addressing these Cross Cutting Objectives forms an important element of the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 application process.

This Climate Change & Environment Advisory Guide was created by Wexford Local Development (WLD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist LEADER applicants identify and implement models of best practice that promote the cross cutting objectives. It is intended to help you ensure you are getting the best overall value out of your project and the best chances of a successful application. The information can be used as guidance on items to consider when incorporating the cross-cutting ‘Climate Change’ and ‘Environment’ objectives into any LEADER application and can be found on our website at http://www.wld.ie/publications-resources.

WLD would like to sincerely thank the EPA for their generous contribution toward the formation of this advisory guide.

An Innovation Advisory Guide is also available from WLD by contacting Helena Dempsey via e-mail or telephone on hdempsey@wld.ie or 053 91 55800 for further information.