Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Rural Development LEADER+ TYPE MEASURE IN POLAND International Conference: „Future of European Rural Development” Cracow, –

Measure objective The objective of the measure implementation is to stimulate local initiatives for rural areas’ development – create of Integrated Rural Development Strategy (IRDS), build public – private partnerships (Local Action Groups – LAGs) and undertake actions by the above to develop and promote a region. The Leader + pilot program measure allows for a better usage of rural areas development potential, improvement of their competitiveness as a place to live and run a business and it contributes to activating of and the cooperation of local communities.

Eligible expenditures – Scheme I information, training and promotional activities designed to stimulate inhabitants and organisations active in rural areas into participating in the strategy planning process, preparation of rural development strategies and technical support for their preparation in particular analyses, expert appraisals, consultation support, studies, etc., advisory and experts services relating to Local Action Groups (LAGs) creation.

Eligible expenditures – Scheme II operational activities of the LAGs, promotion and information on the assumptions and methods of implementing rural development strategies, training and advisory assistance in preparing and implementing projects that are compliant with a rural development strategy, preparation of analyses and documents related to the detailed planning of investments and creating new products and services in accordance with the assumptions of a rural development strategy, organisation of events aimed at promoting the region in particular its products, services, culture, art, etc., co-operation and exchange of experience between LAGs on the national and international level among the LAGs with regard to implementation of strategies and organization of LAGs activities.

Institutional structure of LEADER in Poland Managing Authority Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Implementing InstitutionFinal Beneficiary Foundation of Assistance Agency of Restructuring Programmes for Agriculture and Modernization (FAPA) of Agriculture (ARMA) Beneficiaries: Scheme I: local governments of rural and urban-rural gminas or their associations, legal entities: foundations, associations, unions of associations and other NGO having legal entities Scheme II: Local Action Groups (LAGs)

Aid amount for LEADER in Poland ( ) Total financial support for measure: 18,750 MEUR Scheme I: 5,575 MEUR Scheme II: 13,175 MEUR European Union financial support – total: 15,000 MEUR Scheme I: 4,500 MEUR Scheme II: 10,500 MEUR Domestic financial support – total: 3,750 MEUR Scheme I: 1,075 MEUR Scheme II: 2,675 MEUR Share of public funds as percentage of total funds - 100% EU share of public funds as percentage of total funds - 80% Domestic share of public funds as percentage of total funds-20%

Framework for Integrated Rural Development Strategy (IRDS) I. Characteristics of the LAG as an institution responsible for the implementation of IRDS. II. Diagnostic of the IRDS area: II.1. Characteristics of the area (territorial extention of the area and geographical, environmental and natural conditions, cultural heritage, historical heritage) II.2. Demographic and economic potential of the area (characteristics of the inhabitants of the area, development of the rural infrastructure: social infrastructure, technical infrastructure) II.3. Rationale of the IRDS area cohesion. III. Currently implemented initiatives/projects within the IRDS area. IV. SWOT analysis of the IRDS area. V. IRDS – objectives and budget: V.1. Priority themes and measures of the IRDS V.2. Reasons for selection the priority theme and priority measures V.3. Partnership V.4. Financing methods of the IRDS. VI. Impact of the IRDS implementation on the region development. VII. Connections of the IRDS with the NDP VIII. Promotion and informing about a project and IRDS.

Specifities of LEADER in Poland Shorter time of programming: , „LEADER+ type measure” aimed at prepearing to LEADER Inititaive implementation in the period of , 2 schemes of implementation, Program structured around: - action 1: integrated territorial rural development strategies - action 3: networking

Information information service: LEADERwie ś ci (internet website: )

Rural development policy in the European Union Export refunds to third countries Intervention measures to regulate agricultural markets Direct payments Agricultural Fund for Guarantee (previous Guarantee) Export refunds to third countries Intervention measures to regulate agricultural markets Direct payments Agricultural Fund for Guarantee (previous Guarantee) Rural developmentCommon Agricultural Policy One rural development programme (previous II pillar of CAP and part of the structural policy for rural areas and agriculture) European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (previous Guidance + Guarantee)

Rural development policy Guidance Structural policy (SOP) Guarantee II pillar of CAP (RDP) Operational Programme for Rural Development - European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

Rural development policy Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector Improving the environment and the countryside The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy LEADER approach – min 2,5% (5%) Min 10% Min 25%Min 10%

LEADER axis within the OP RD (proposal)

Measures to be implemented within the OP RD by the LEADER axis - Encouragement of tourism activities - Basic services for the economy and rural population - Training and information

The Leader approach shall comprise at least the following elements: a) area-based local development strategies intended for well-identified sub-regional rural territories; b) local public-private partnerships (hereinafter called "Local Action Groups"); c)bottom-up approach with a decision-making power for local action groups concerning the elaboration and implementation of local development strategies; d) multi-sectoral design and implementation of the strategy based on the interaction between actors and projects of different sectors of the local economy; e)implementation of innovative approaches; f)implementation of cooperation projects; g)networking of local partnerships.

Institutions involved in the LEADER axis implementation Managing Authority (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Paying Agency (Agency of Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture (ARMA) – payment function, accountancy, payment acceptation, control of LAGs and beneficiaries. Marshal Offices – formal verification on a stage of pre-selection and choosing of LAGs, preparing of Regional Leader Committee (RLC) statute, chairmanship of RLC, forwarding correct application forms of LAGs to Managing Authority (MA), information and promotion. Local Action Groups (LAGs) – responsible for implementation, as required by MA:  Verification of application forms for support,  Making a ranking list of projects,  Contracting with benficiaries (after possitive opinion of RLC),  Verification of application forms for payment,  Authorization of payments,  Control of project realization,  Monitoring and reporting a realization of implemented actions,  Raporting irregularities,  Information and promotion. Regional Leader Committee (RLC)

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