BORDERLANDS LEADER , Kozard, Hungary

LAGs in Estonia Borderlands Leader is one of the 26 LAGs operating in Estonia, to manage EU LEADER programme. 24 LAGs are receiving 2007–2013 Leader measure project support applications for the implementation of their strategies. 2 LAGs prepare the local development strategies of their territories (start to implement their strategies) Leader programme covers 98% of Estonian rural area.

BORDERLANDS LEADER Established in spring 2006; The general aim of the LAG is to promote life along the eastern border of Estonia; LAG population (1 st of January 2010): ; LAG area: 1063 km²; LAG is formed by the area of seven municipalities (Räpina, Orava, Värska parish, Misso, Mikitamäe, Meremäe, Piirissaare) from 3 different counties; Number of members is 94 (31st of August 2010): 7 rural municipalities, 59 entrepreneurs and 28 NGOs.

Structure of the organization General Assembly (94 members) Council (23 members) Board (Chairman of the Board) Office: Project Manager Project Assistant 7 Project Consultants Projects Assessment Commission (21 members, 7 at once) Strategy Group

Strategy Aim of the strategy- to stop depopulation in LAG territory. Priorities: Development of new technologies and knowledge to increase competitiveness of production and services; Improving the living environment. Measures should solve the problems of the majority of population. Longstanding effects of strategy implementation are expected to be: Local economy will improve; People’s income will increase; Quality of life in rural areas will improve; Entrepreneurship activity will be stimulated.

Organization´s activities … … that help to achieve the aims of the strategy. 1.Providing information for project funding applicants and beneficiaries. 2.Providing advising system to project applicants and beneficiaries: 7 Project Consultants – conformity with the strategy; Office – technical advice. 3.Introducing Leader programme to local people and organizations – potential new members of the organization. 4.Co-operation with other LAGs in Estonia: Project “Peipsimaa”; Project “Maitsev Lõuna-Eesti”.

Photo: Raivo Tasso FARM MARKET INITIATORS: 4 LAGs and local entrepreneurs from South- East of Estonia – created an organization called “DELICIOUS SOUTH ESTONIA”. ORGANIZATION: coordinating the work of the farm market. LOCATION - the biggest shopping centre in South Estonia. PRODUCTS - handicraft, organic food, herb medicines etc.

Information days 8 in 2009, 5 in 2010 so far.

Training days Project writing course

Study tours/visits Finland in 2009 Latvia-Lithuania in 2008

Seminars/conferences Summer seminar 2010: the coming of Euro and the influence to rural areas.

Website, newletters, local media Web site:

How to apply for LEADER projects in Estonia? Provide information; Organize the receipt and evaluation of applications; Approve the conformity of the project application to the strategy of the local action group and to the measure. The Agriculture Registers and Information Board (ARIB) makes the financing decision.

Measures In Borderlands Leader area it is possible to get funding to projects from the measures named below : M1 - Increasing possibilities for hobby activities; M2 - Creating and preserving valuable milieu; M3 - Improving the level of services; M4 - Developing tourism through presentation of heritage culture; M5 - Use of sustainable energy based on local resources; M6 - Involvement of less developed communities.

About the projects … 2 project application rounds in year 2009 and so far 2 in year project applications (113 approved, 50 rejected and 11 withdrawn).

Allocated project support in Euros M ,65 € M ,84 € M ,31 € M ,75 € M ,20 € M ,39 € TOTAL ,14 € Financing decision by ARIB (at 6th of September 2010) Approved69 Rejected2 Withdrawn2 No desicion40 TOTAL113

The examples of implemented projects

NGO VANAAJAMAJA – the enlivening of local clay building tradition Organization established in Local architectual heritage – research, preservation, restoration and teaching. Aim of the project – to enlive the local clay building tradition. 5 training days: 1. The features of clay building, tour The restoration of clay walls. 4. The restoration of wood structures in clay buildings. 5. The plastering of clay walls.

Who are setos? The project is all about giving the modern touch to traditional seto cuisine.

The content of investment: Acquiring necessary equipment for catering service – tents, tables, chairs etc. Creating a web page; Designing the logo of the trademark.

Project outcome: the provision of traditional seto cuisine in modern way - as a catering service: summer days of enterprises; Formal events; Traditional weddings; Etc.

They provide the whole package: service, equipment, food, entertainment. (under construction)

SETOMAA (Seto land) is divided between Estonia and Russia. Historically PETSERI has been the centre of Setomaa. Small area - ? km2 NGO Setomaa Tourism was established in members. Aim – to develop local tourism.

2 projects: 1)The development of Setomaa´s cultural tourism: The mapping of cultural tourism (demand and supply); Merchandising and testing of tourism packages; Roundtable for local entrepreneurs in tourism; Creation of marketing strategy for tourism packages. 2)The development of Setomaa´s web service: The analysis of web service; Training for using the web: The organizing of web; The application of social media´s network; The spread of information in foreign languages; The adding of interactive web map; The translation of web materials: The application of integrated design principles.

Thank you for your attention!