What Leitrim Development Company does

Leitrim Development Company (legal name: Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG; CRO 451100) is a community-led Local Development Company and registered charity headquartered in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland, with additional offices in Mohill and Manorhamilton. The organisation delivers a portfolio of rural, social, and economic programmes across County Leitrim, including LEADER (rural development), SICAP (social inclusion and community activation), and a suite of employment and training initiatives: Community Employment Schemes, Tús, the Rural Social Scheme (for which it served as the original pilot county in 2004), LAES, and WorkAbility. It also coordinates Ireland's national Social Farming support centre, delivers the Social Farming programme, and supports 150+ community groups with a participant base of approximately 275 people across its initiatives.

The organisation's technology footprint, as disclosed, is limited to Salesforce CRM for client and beneficiary management; there is no public evidence of proprietary platforms, AI/ML capabilities, or data products. Its service delivery model is local, in-person, and grant-funded: programmes are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries, with funding channelled primarily through Irish government departments (notably the Department of Rural and Community Development) and EU instruments including Erasmus+, CERV, and INTERREG.

The business model is therefore a non-profit, public-funder-anchored operating model in which revenue (grant income) is secured via competitive contract awards and multi-year programme designations rather than commercial sales. Go-to-market is institutional: success depends on retaining SICAP and LEADER mandates, securing EU project partnerships (e.g., the GET-IN Project under CERV with a €129,510 award in January 2026), and maintaining a five-year Strategic Plan (2024-2029) that aligns with national policy priorities. Customer concentration on a small number of public funders is the defining commercial feature; beneficiary reach is broad but non-paying.

Name

Leitrim Development Company

Legal name

Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG

Website

https://ldco.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Leitrim Development Company is a community-led Local Development Company and registered charity that delivers rural, social, and economic programmes across County Leitrim, Ireland, funded by Irish government departments and EU grants, serving community groups, individuals, farmers, and marginalised populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Rural Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community development
• Rural development
• Local employment services
• LEADER funding administration
• Social inclusion programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Leitrim

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Programme Delivery: Leitrim Development Company is funded to deliver multiple government and EU programmes including LEADER (rural development), SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme), Community Employment Schemes, Tús, Rural Social Scheme, Local Area Employment Service (LAES), WorkAbility, and Social Farming. Revenue comes in the form of programme administration and delivery grants from government departments and EU funds. The organisation is a registered charity (CRO: 451100 / Charity Registration 20070700) and a company limited by guarantee.
2. LEADER Grant Disbursement: The company administers LEADER funding (2023-2027 programme) for County Leitrim, providing capital grants (up to 75%), analysis and development grants (up to 90%), and training grants (100%) to eligible community groups, enterprises, and organisations. This is grant funding passed through to end recipients, not revenue retained by the company.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leitrim Development Company is a community-led Local Development Company that delivers rural, social and economic development programmes at local level across County Leitrim. It administers LEADER funding (capital, analysis and training grants), SICAP, Community Employment Schemes, Rural Social Scheme, Tús, WorkAbility, Local Area Employment Service, Local Training Initiatives, the national Social Farming Support Office and EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, PEACE IV, CERV/GET-IN). Beneficiaries receive capital grant aid, technical assistance, guidance and mentoring, training, employment placements and community development supports, all delivered free of charge through the company's three offices and field staff.

Product overview

Leitrim Development Company is a community-led Local Development Company delivering a comprehensive portfolio of rural, social, and economic development programmes across County Leitrim. The organisation operates a multi-layered service architecture centred on LEADER Funding (economic development, rural infrastructure, environmental/climate projects) and SICAP (social inclusion and community activation). Supporting programmes include employment initiatives (Community Employment Schemes, Rural Social Scheme, Tús, WorkAbility Leitrim, Local Area Employment Service), training (Local Training Initiatives in Horticulture and Hospitality), and specialised projects (Social Farming national support office, PEACE IV, PROJECT GET-IN, Erasmus+ partnerships). Direct community services encompass youth supports, Traveller support, older people's services, new arrivals integration, and community networking via the Leitrim Public Participation Network. The portfolio functions as an integrated ecosystem where funding programmes, employment schemes, training initiatives, and community support services work together to address rural development needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LEADER Funding (2023-2027 Programme) Capital, analysis and development, and training grants (up to 75%/90%/100% of eligible costs) for community groups, enterprises and organisations undertaking rural development, job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects in County Leitrim.
• SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) Targeted holistic programme tackling poverty and social exclusion through community development, lifelong learning, and employment/self-employment supports for disadvantaged individuals and communities in County Leitrim.
• Community Employment Schemes Three Community Employment programmes (Childcare, Estate Management/Environmental Maintenance, and Community Enhancement) providing work opportunities, training and placements for long-term unemployed individuals delivering services to community groups and local authority areas county-wide.
• WorkAbility Leitrim Personalised employment support and job readiness assistance programme for people with disabilities in County Leitrim, providing one-to-one guidance, employer linkage and on-the-job support.
• Local Area Employment Service (LAES) Employment support service co-delivered with Sligo LEADER Partnership for long-term unemployed clients in Sligo and Leitrim, including one-to-one case work, employer liaison, weekly Jobs Bulletin and in-employment support services.
• Local Training Initiatives (LTIs) QQI accredited vocational training programmes (Horticulture with Eco-Tourism Level 4, Hospitality Operations Level 5) funded by Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board and managed locally.
• Social Farming Support Office National support centre for Social Farming in Ireland providing guidance, training and resources to farmers, service providers and participants across the country in delivering social farming opportunities on farms.
• Rural Social Scheme Income support scheme for farmers and farm spouses providing community services while maintaining local amenities and rural infrastructure in County Leitrim.
• Tús Programme Short-term community-based work placement programme for long-term unemployed individuals, providing work experience and progression pathways in County Leitrim.
• Walks Scheme Scheme administered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development to maintain National Waymarked Ways, Looped Walking Routes and Heritage Routes in County Leitrim through contracts with private landowners.
• Services for Older People Feel Good Clubs, Active Age Groups across Leitrim and West Cavan, five Community Day Care Services (Blacklion, Drumkeeran, Carrigallen, Ballinamore, Ballinaglera) and the Older People's Council providing social activities, advocacy and support.
• Traveller Support Programme Comprehensive Traveller community support including Shannonside Community Childcare, Early Years services, After School Programme and Traveller Primary Health Care Project in Carrick-on-Shannon.
• Youth Supports After-school programmes, summer projects, special needs education support and Traveller pre-school services targeting educational disadvantage across County Leitrim.
• New Arrivals Support Integration support services for Ukrainian refugees and new communities including education, employment, health and social activity assistance with multilingual (English/Ukrainian) support.
• Leitrim Public Participation Network (PPN) Network connecting community groups with local government, facilitating citizen participation in decision-making structures including LCDC, SPC and JPC committees, and issuing biweekly e-bulletins.
• Jobs Bulletin Weekly jobs bulletin managed by SICAP and LAES teams providing free vacancy advertising for employers and job search support for job seekers in County Leitrim.
• SoEngage Plus (Erasmus+ KA2) Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership producing digital video resources, online learning materials, case studies and podcasts to support farmers engaging in social farming across Europe.
• Erasmus+ Agrosocial Project European partnership project exploring social farming and urban organic gardens, delivering training and resources to support inclusion, wellbeing and sustainable rural development.
• PROJECT GET-IN (CERV) CERV-funded European project enhancing civil society participation and democratic engagement for persons with disabilities, with consortium partners in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Ireland.
• PEACE IV Programme EU programme promoting peace and reconciliation through cross-community relations, supporting integration of ethnic minority groups and new communities in County Leitrim.

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ŽIR – Life and Joy (Udruga za djecu s teškoćama i osobe s invalidetom)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Lead partner of the GET-IN project (CERV programme, grant €129,510, Jan 2026–Dec 2027). ŽIR – Life and Joy is a Croatian association for children with disabilities and persons with disabilities. Leads a consortium of 6 partners across Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Serbia, and Ireland working to enhance inclusion of persons with disabilities in civil society and democratic life.
• Zavod Sopotniki (Zavod za medgeneracijsko solidarnost)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Slovenian partner in the GET-IN project (CERV programme, grant €129,510, Jan 2026–Dec 2027). Zavod Sopotniki is a Slovenian institute for intergenerational solidarity. One of 6 European partners working on inclusion of persons with disabilities in democratic life.
• Comune di Cavriago (Municipality of Cavriago)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Italian municipality partner in the GET-IN project (CERV programme, grant €129,510, Jan 2026–Dec 2027). Hosts the final event of the project in Cavriago, Italy. One of 6 European partners collaborating on inclusion of persons with disabilities in civil society.
• Associazione di promozione sociale Si Puo Fare OnluscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Italian social promotion association (Torino, Italy) and partner in the GET-IN project. Organised Event 2 of the project in Turin, Italy (June 2026). Specialises in independent living training for people with intellectual disabilities. One of 6 European partners in the GET-IN consortium.
• Regional Development Agency of Srem Ltd. (RRA Srem)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Regional Development Agency of Srem (Ruma, Serbia) is a partner in the GET-IN project (CERV programme, grant €129,510, Jan 2026–Dec 2027). Organised Event 5 of the project in the Srem region, Serbia. One of 6 European partners working on inclusion of persons with disabilities in democratic life.
• SoEngage Plus Consortium (Erasmus+ KA2)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership (Project No: 2020-1-UK01-KA202-079050, Oct 2020–Sep 2022) with partners from Germany, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain, and the UK. Produces learning resources (handbook and tutorials), digital videos of social farm case studies, and podcasts of social farm experts to support farmers in engaging in social farming.
• Terra i Dona and Meraki (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish partners collaborating with Leitrim Development Company and Social Farming Ireland on the Erasmus+ Agrosocial project. The project explores innovative ways to promote social farming and urban organic gardens across Europe, developing practical tools and resources to support farmers, services and participants in creating inclusive experiences on social farms and urban organic gardens.
• Department of Rural and Community DevelopmentcoreOthersGovernment department that funds and oversees the WALKS Scheme, which Leitrim Development Company administers on behalf of the department. The scheme aims to enhance and maintain key walking trails including National Waymarked Ways, Looped Walking Routes and Heritage Routes.
• Sligo LEADER PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivers the Sligo Leitrim Local Area Employment Service (LAES) together with Leitrim Development Company. The LAES is funded by the Department of Social Protection and focuses on long-term unemployed clients farthest from the labour market. Both organisations maintain weekly Jobs Bulletins distributed via websites and social media.
• Social Farming Across Borders (SoFAB) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU INTERREG IVA Funded project (2011–2014) which operated in the border counties of Ireland and all of Northern Ireland. Leitrim Development Company was a key implementing partner. SoFAB was the predecessor to the Social Farming Support Office established in 2015, funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and CEDRA Fund.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wexford Local Development: Multi-programme LDC delivering LEADER, SICAP, RSS, Tús and Community Employment schemes across County Wexford. Comparable scale and operational model.
• Ballyhoura Development CLG: Local Development Company covering east Limerick and north Cork, delivering LEADER, SICAP, RSS, Tús and community development programmes. Directly comparable rural LDC operating across multiple programmes with similar funding model.
• Sligo LEADER Partnership: Adjacent-county Local Development Company that co-delivers the Sligo Leitrim Local Area Employment Service (LAES) with Leitrim Development Company. Direct peer in Irish LDC landscape delivering LEADER, SICAP and employment programmes to a comparable rural population.
• Longford Community Resources CLG: Local Development Company serving County Longford, delivering LEADER, SICAP, RSS, Tús and community services. Comparable midlands rural LDC with similar population scale and programme mix.
• Donegal Local Development Company CLG: County-wide LDC delivering LEADER, SICAP, RSS and employment programmes in County Donegal. Comparable rural frontier county profile and multi-programme delivery model.
• Offaly Local Development Company CLG: Midlands LDC delivering rural development, social inclusion and employment programmes in County Offaly under LEADER and SICAP frameworks. Functionally equivalent multi-programme LDC.
• IRD Duhallow: One of Ireland's largest and most established Local Development Companies, delivering LEADER, SICAP, Rural Social Scheme, Tús and employment programmes across north Cork and south Kerry. Closest functional peer for a multi-programme rural LDC.

Regional players

• Social Farming Ireland: National social farming organisation whose support office is hosted within Leitrim Development Company. Operates the practitioner-facing national brand; functionally an extension of the company's Social Farming programme and a partner rather than competitor.

Emerging players

• Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE): UK umbrella body for 38 rural community councils delivering rural community development services. Comparable mission (rural community-led development) in a different jurisdiction, useful as a structural analogue rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB: Education and Training Board that funds and accredits Leitrim Development Company's Local Training Initiatives (QQI Level 4/5 in Horticulture and Hospitality). Statutory training authority and a partial incumbent in the training and education domain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leitrimdevco
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeitrimDevelopmentCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leitrim-development-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leitrim Development Company