The LEADER approach to integrated rural The LEADER approach to integrated rural development in the EUdevelopment in the EU

UNDP International Conference,UNDP International Conference, KosiceKosice, 5 October 2009, 5 October 2009

Jean-Michel COURADES

AGRI G1 - Consistency of Rural Development

DG for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission

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Rural Development Policy 2007-2013Rural Development Policy 2007-2013

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) contributes to achieve three core objectives (The objectives are implemented through "thematic axes“ ):

improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector by means of support for restructuring; (Axis 1)

improving the environment and the countryside by means of support for land management; (Axis 2)

improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy. (Axis 3)

A further requirement is that some of the funding must support projects based on Leader method (Leader Axis)

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Rural Development Policy 2007-2013: Rural Development Policy 2007-2013: ArchitectureArchitecture

Rural Development

2007-2013

« LEADER Axis »

Axis 1 Competi -tiveness

Axis 2 Environment

+ Land

Management

Axis 3 Economic

Diver. +

Quality of Life

Single set of programming, financing, monitoring, auditing rules

Single Rural Development Fund (EAFRD)

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The Leader axis as a methodological axisThe Leader axis as a methodological axis

The implementation of local development strategies through the Leader approach offers the possibility to combine all three objectives building on local needs and strengths:

- Reinforcement of territorial coherence and synergies between measures intended for the broader rural economy and population

- ensuring innovative and experimental RD interventions- in an integrated way: involving all actors in the design and

implementation of actions

Horizontal priorities covered with Leader:– better governance at the local level– endogenous development (local resources for growth and jobs)

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What is funded through the EAFRD for the Leader What is funded through the EAFRD for the Leader axis?axis?

a) Implementation of local development strategies to achieve the objective of one or more of the three axes

b) Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation  between local action groups

c) Running the local action group, acquisition of skills and animating the territory

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Indicative use of funds under the Leader AxisIndicative use of funds under the Leader Axis

Axis 1Axis 2

Axis 3

Cooperation

LAG Management

Axis 1

Axis 2

Axis 3

Cooperation

LAGManagement

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The main concept of the Leader approachThe main concept of the Leader approach

LEADER: Liens Entre Actions de Developpement de l’Economie Rurale = Linkages between development actions regarding the rural economy

Given the diversity of rural areas, development strategies are more effective and efficient if …

decided and implemented at local level by local actors; accompanied by clear and transparent procedures; the support of the relevant public administrations; and necessary technical assistance for the transfer of good

practice

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The 7 key features of LeaderThe 7 key features of Leader

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Definition of the Leader approachDefinition of the Leader approach(Art 61 of Regulation 1698/2005 )(Art 61 of Regulation 1698/2005 )

1) Area-based approach*2) Bottom-up approach*3) Local public-private partnerships*

4) Integrated approach* 5) Innovation6) Cooperation between areas7) Networking*

* mandatory at Local action group level as well in the period 2007-2013

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Local Action GroupsLocal Action Groups(composition and role)(composition and role)

Public-private partnership At decision making level the economic and social partners as well as

other representatives of the civil society, such as farmers, rural women, young people and their associations must make up at least 50 % of the local partnership.

The partnership must be representative for the area.

The partners must be locally based.

The groups draw up an integrated local development strategy for their territory and are responsible for implementing it.

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The Local Action GroupThe Local Action Group

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Implementation steps for LeaderImplementation steps for Leader

Acquisition of skills for new LAGs or existing LAGs

Selection of local development strategies

Grant agreement / confirmation of selection to the LAG

Implementation of the local development strategies

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Decision making process: Adoption (selection) of Decision making process: Adoption (selection) of projectsprojects

LAG level

– Local calls for proposal (transparency and equal treatment with objective selection criteria)

– Selection of projects among a list of submitted projects (quality assessment in relation to the local development strategy)

Managing Authority / Paying Authority level

– Ex- ante eligibility checks

– Formal approval by Managing Authority / Paying Authority Notification to project owner/grant agrement (MA/PA or LAG)

Project selection criteria: Quality assessment according to relevance and added value for the local development strategy

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Support to cooperation projectsSupport to cooperation projects

Inter-territoral cooperation: cooperation between LAGs within a EU Member State.

Transnational cooperation:

Cooperation between LAGs from different EU Member States

can also include cooperation of LAGs from the EU with similar groups in third countries following a similar or Leader-like approach.

For EU LAGs only expenditure related to the own territory is eligible for support.

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History and eHistory and evolutionvolution of the Leader approach of the Leader approachFrom the Community Initiatives… Leader I (1991-93) – experiment: result of criticism to the individual

project approach in the Structural Policy – 217 LAGs Leader II (1994-99) - laboratory: limited to disadvantaged rural areas,

innovation, pilot actions, introduction of transnational cooperation – 906 LAGs

Leader+ (2000-06) - maturity phase: eligibility of the whole rural territory; reinforced role of networks and transnational cooperation – 894 LAGs

(Leader+ type measure for new Member States 2004-2006 – 259 LAGs)

..to „mainstreamed Leader“ 2007-13: Leader axis – not any longer specific programmes; methodological

approach to mainstream RD programming – 2125 LAGs

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Thank you for your attention !