MORE than £3m of EU funding is available to help rural businesses and community projects benefit the Dorset economy.

Local action groups involved in the LEADER European finance scheme have secured the money and are inviting residents and businesses to apply for project grants.

The LEADER approach, which has been employed in Dorset for 14 years, is part of the Rural Development Programme, allowing people to make decisions about where funding would make the most difference.

Grants are awarded to projects that help the rural economy.

Dorset has local action groups for both the south and the north of the county, supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Southern Dorset Local Action Group (LAG) will work throughout Purbeck, Portland and a large part of West Dorset. The Northern Dorset LAG covers North Dorset, rural parts of East Dorset and Christchurch and parts of West Dorset including Sherborne.

Sarah East, chairman of the Southern Dorset LAG steering group, thanked LAG members, supporters and organisations who helped shape the Local Development Strategies. “It was an exciting year hearing from local people about where the funding could make the most difference and we look forward to helping turn this successful bid into projects to benefit rural businesses and communities,” she said.

The LAGs will be able to put out a call for projects in June. Priorities include farming and forestry, rural services, tourism, culture and heritage and support for new and existing small and micro-businesses in rural areas. A new website is being prepared but in the meantime information can be found at dorsetlocalactiongroups.org.uk Tony Bishop, chairman of the Northern Dorset Local Action Steering Group, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and support the local area by taking part in your local action group. “LAGs are all about their members working together to help improve the local economy. Your skills and knowledge will help the LAG select the right projects for funding.”

The LAGs are holding meetings for new members across the county over the next few weeks. A Southern Dorset LAG meeting will take place tomorrow, in Bridport, and a Northern Dorset LAG group meeting is held on Wednesday, March 11, and Monday, March 16, at Sturminster.

To book a place or to find out more, contact LEADER programme manager Sarah Harbige on 01305 228699 or s.e.harbige@dorsetcc.gov.uk