Local Development Companies (LDCs), such as Ballyhoura Development, are known by many different names throughout Ireland including Local Area Partnerships, LEADER Partnerships, Integrated Development Companies as well as the more obvious Local Development Company. There are a number of key features which all Local Development Companies share:

  • Bottom-up approach – working with communities to develop local solutions to local issues
  • Focus on promoting local economic development
  • Focus on addressing inequality and social exclusion
  • Governed by a voluntary, multi-sectoral Board of Directors
  • Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, and registered charities

There are 49 Local Development Companies operating across Ireland.