AMION completed an evaluation of the Cornwall LEADER programme on behalf of Cornwall Council in 2023. Cornwall’s LEADER programme was led by four Local Action Groups (Atlantic and Moor, Coast to Coast, South and East Cornwall and West Cornwall) which were awarded a total of £7.8 million to support eligible capital projects. The project was funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The overall objective of the LEADER programme was to increase support to local businesses and organisations in rural economies and communities. The project supported 157 projects and had awarded £6.1 million in grant funding.
The evaluation included a telephone survey of beneficiaries (carried out by Spirul) and consultations with programme management team, Local Action Group members, local and national stakeholders, and project leads.
Our evaluation demonstrated that the programme had been successful in supporting businesses and achieving most of the objectives it had set out to. Similarly, the programme was found to be well-managed and produced significant benefits for the local community which is expected to translate into substantial jobs and GVA benefits.
AMION have supported numerous evaluations across Cornwall and have excellent relations with local stakeholders including Falmouth University and Cornwall Council. Other recent projects we have evaluated in Cornwall include the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, the Cornwall LEADER rural support programme, the Cornwall CLLD programme and Falmouth University’s Immersive Business programme. AMION also completed an independent process and impact evaluation of the £14.3 million Getting Building Fund programme on behalf of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.