Brussels, 26/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission approved the "Leader +" rural development programme presented by Northern Ireland with an aid budget of 43.7 million euro, 15.4 million euro of which from the Community budget and 12.9 million euro from the private sector. The aim of the programme is to develop the use of new technologies to improve the competitiveness of products and services in rural areas, improve the quality of life in the countryside and provide added value to local products by facilitating market access for small farmers. These projects, to be managed by some twelve local action groups, aim especially at improving the social conditions of rural families, women, the young and the long-term unemployed.