Fisheries members wanted for D&G LEADER LAG

Dumfries & Galloway LEADER is recruiting new fisheries members to their Local Action Group (LAG). Here, they tell us more about this opportunity to support the region's fisheries and coastal communities to realise their goals.

Dumfries & Galloway LEADER require members to work in partnership to deliver the new 2014-2020 LEADER Programme, as well as the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Membership of the LAG will consist of partners from public, private and voluntary sectors in order to represent a broad variety of local knowledge and expertise from across Dumfries & Galloway.

The LAG is responsible for the delivery of both programmes under a joint Local Development Strategy for the region. The main themes of the new strategy include: supporting our local economy; our land, coast and marine environment; and assisting the development of sustainable settlements across Dumfries & Galloway.

We have previously completed recruitment of members to the LAG who are responsible for delivering the LEADER Programme with specific focus on the areas of Communities, Rural Enterprise and Strategic Management. The EMFF funding cycle operates on a different timescale to the LEADER Programme and we were not able to recruit LAG members for the EMFF Programme until the funding was confirmed.

The EMFF funding is now in place and we are inviting applications for LAG members from groups and individuals to deliver this aspect of the Local Development Strategy. If you think you have the background and knowledge required to help deliver this programme we want to hear from you.

This programme will cover the whole of Dumfries & Galloway, including Dumfries and Stranraer, and we seek to recruit expertise that will demonstrate both a sectoral and geographic mix across the breadth of the region.

The role of a LAG member is both rewarding and challenging and can offer the opportunity to influence rural development in Dumfries & Galloway.

This is a chance to get involved in rural development on a local and regional level, contributing towards what is already proven to be a successful mechanism for economic, social and environmental investment into the region.

If you would like to be considered as a new member on the Local Action Group please contact us at DGLeaderTeam@dumgal.gov.uk or on 01387 260028 for more information or a recruitment pack.

Photo courtesy of Beth on Flickr Creative Commons