Axes 3 and 4(LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 have total funding of €427m available to be allocated to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to equip rural dwellers and communities with the appropriate range of skills and training to derive maximum social and economic benefit from the initiatives available under the Axes. Support in this regard is provided for in the Training and Information measure which has an overall programme allocation of €29.45m.
The types of support that may be provided under this measure include the provision of flexible learning opportunities in new technology for women, young people and minority groups in particular; the development of training facilities in rural areas both fixed and mobile; facilitation of distant learning through the use of new technologies and developing the capacity of rural dwellers to utilise ICT including the internet and other public/commercial electronic applications. However, the regulatory framework provides that support under this measure shall not include courses of instruction or training which form part of normal education programmes or systems at secondary or higher levels. Support for mainstream vocational education and training programmes specifically geared to the general labour market are the remit of the European Social Fund (ESF). Training available under the RDP is targeted towards responding only to local community niche needs specific to the measures contained in the programme, e.g. learning to utilise ICT to enhance a rural tourism project. In this context the course outlined in the question would not be eligible for support under the Rural Development Programme.