Welcome to Amaze Me LEADER 2018.

We are delighted that you are interested in coming along to this exciting event which will take place from Sunday 5th August to Sunday 12th August 2018, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Please read all the information carefully and complete all sections of the form corresponding to your application type. If you have any questions about the event, or the form, please contact Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Local Action Group who will be able to give you advice.

Finnish applicants- please apply by 15th May 2018, 18:00

Other applicants- applications will close on 15th June 2018, 18:00

Please note – your place is NOT guaranteed by completing this form. Although we will attempt to allocate on a first come, first served basis, we will also be trying to ensure cultural diversity, and a good spread of delegates from participating countries. In addition, if you have taken part in the previous Amaze Me LEADER event in Finland, you will NOT be eligible to apply. We will be in touch after the closing date to confirm whether you have been allocated a place.

Background to Amaze Me LEADER (AML)

LEADER is the main EU funding programme supporting rural communities across the European Union. Some of you may already be involved with LEADER funded projects in your own country.

LEADER in Dumfries & Galloway has been supporting rural communities for over 20 years and during that time has awarded grants to over 200 projects spanning the length and breadth of the region, including many projects involving young people. Following an amazing event in Finland in 2017, Dumfries and Galloway LEADER (www.dgleader.co.uk) in partnership with Sleeping Giants (www.sleeping-giants.org.uk) are very excited that we have the opportunity to host 60 young people age 18-30 from across Europe as part of this year’s week-long Amaze Me LEADER event. This will include 20 young people from Dumfries and Galloway, 20 young people from Finland and 20 places spread equally between Scotland and other LEADER Local Action Group areas. As 2018 is the Year of the Young Person in Scotland, this provides an excellent springboard to highlight and to promote the value and contribution that young people can make to the development of the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our rural communities.

What will I gain from taking part?

We hope that this project will result in many and far reaching impacts for the young people who participate including:

having a life changing, life affirming, fun experience which makes positive memories which last your whole life
building knowledge, skills and confidence
building a feeling of empowerment, trust and value
building active participation which lasts beyond the life of the project
inspiring you and building motivation and positive intentions to be change makers of the future
building a sense of entrepreneurship where you can see yourself building a successful life in rural areas
building connections with each other and with Dumfries and Galloway and Scotland, which may motivate you to stay or relocate to our Region in the future

What difference do we hope to make?

Amaze Me LEADER is about far more than a fun adventure where you meet other young people from across Europe, and in signing up for the event, we expect you to be part of a force for change; to participate as fully as you can; and share our commitment to achieving the following positive changes:

to raise the profile and awareness of LEADER activities, the LEADER approach and rural community development with young people, communities, organisations and decision makers
to build the profile and capacity of local host agencies, who will engage the Amaze Me LEADER participants in a range of interesting and exciting activities over the course of the week
to encourage young people to get involved in community development initiatives and local decision making in their own local areas, but also at a wider national / transnational level.
to raise awareness of cultural diversity and provide opportunities for the Amaze Me LEADER participants to share experiences of living and working in rural communities across Europe, both with each other, and with decision makers;
to give the Amaze Me LEADER participants a platform to ‘problem solve’ particular issues facing rural communities in Dumfries and Galloway, drawing from your own experiences and learning
build relationships both between young people and partner agencies in the lead up to Amaze Me LEADER 2019

Skills and qualities we are looking for in AML Participants

A keen interest in developing rural communities to be great places for young people to grow up, learn, work and live
A commitment to being part of a positive force for change for the future
Willing to take part and try new things
Able to speak up and make your views heard
Willing to share your skills and experience with others
Ability to work as part of a team
Able to speak English well

Amaze Me LEADER 2018- Apply to be a participant