What is Fens LeAP LEADER+?

Fens LeAP (LEADER+ Action Partnership) is a partnership of public, private and community organisations and individuals set up to deliver the LEADER+ programme in the Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk Fens.

The Fens LeAP Leader+ vision is:
“A Fens LEADER area renowned for innovation, entrepreneurship and a quality environment, where access to services is easily available, communications are exemplary and there is a real sense of pride and confidence amongst local residents.”

The Fens LeAP LEADER+ programme is focused on the theme of ‘Improving the Quality of Life’ in the Fens. The Fens LeAP LEADER+ strategy will deliver innovative solutions to address the three key inter-linked issues of Access, Aspirations and Communications. Our target groups are the young (ages 11-25) and the older (55+). These target groups are at present particularly affected with poor access to services, low aspirations poor use of communications. The Fens LeAP LEADER+ programme will positively address these issues, which the partners believe are the key to the future of the area. Our programme will secure the retention of talented young people in the Fens and promote the handing-down of skills and experience from older adults.

The Fens LeAP programme area covers 1,075 km2 of the Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk Fenlands, encompassing 101,260 people across four districts and two counties and forty parishes, with an average population density of 94.2 people per km2. Fens LeAP Leader+ have been given £1.5 million from the EU and £265,000 from DEFRA to allocate to the Leader+ programme in this region. Below is a map of the Fens LeAP LEADER+ area followed by a list of the parishes we cover.

Fens LeAP LEADER+ parishes:

Cambridgeshire: Benwick, Chatteris, Christchurch, Coveney, Doddington, Downham, Elm, Littleport, Manea, March, Mepal, Parson Drove, Ramsey, Sutton, Warboys, Whittlesey South, Wimblington, Wisbech St. Mary, Witcham

Norfolk: Denver, Downham Market, Downham West, Emneth, Marshland St James, Nordelph, Outwell, Stow Bardolph, Terrington St Clement, Terrington St John, Tilney All Saints, Tilney St Lawrence, Upwell, Walpole, Walpole Cross Keys, Walpole Highway, Walsoken, Welney, West Walton, Wiggenhall St Germans, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen.

The Fens LeAP Leader+ programme has been in operation since July 2002. However, Leader funding has been operating in the Fens since 1996. The Leader II programme, which preceeded Leader+, funded over 50 projects ranging from village enhancement schemes to projects which taught locals new computer skills. For more info on the projects supported by Leader II click here.