The LEADER approach to integrated rural development in the EU UNDP International Conference, Kosice, 5 October 2009 Jean-Michel COURADES AGRI G1 - Consistency of Rural Development DG for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission

DG AGRI October Rural Development Policy 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)

DG AGRI October Rural Development Policy : Architecture Rural Development « 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)

DG AGRI October The 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)

DG AGRI October What is funded through the EAFRD for the Leader axis? a)Implementation of local development strategies to achieve the objective of one or more of the three axes  Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation between local action groups c) Running the local action group, acquisition of skills and animating the territory

DG AGRI October Indicative use of funds under the Leader Axis

DG AGRI October The 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

DG AGRI October The 7 key features of Leader

DG AGRI October Definition of the Leader approach (Art 61 of Regulation 1698/2005 ) 1) Area-based approach* 2) Bottom-up approach* 3) Local public-private partnerships* 4) Integrated approach* 5) Innovation 6) Cooperation between areas 7) Networking* * mandatory at Local action group level as well in the period

DG AGRI October Local Action Groups (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.

DG AGRI October The Local Action Group

DG AGRI October Implementation 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

DG AGRI October Decision making process: Adoption (selection) of projects  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

DG AGRI October Support 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.

DG AGRI October History and evolution of the Leader approach From the Community Initiatives…  Leader I ( ) – experiment: result of criticism to the individual project approach in the Structural Policy – 217 LAGs  Leader II ( ) - laboratory: limited to disadvantaged rural areas, innovation, pilot actions, introduction of transnational cooperation – 906 LAGs  Leader+ ( ) - maturity phase: eligibility of the whole rural territory; reinforced role of networks and transnational cooperation – 894 LAGs  (Leader+ type measure for new Member States – 259 LAGs)..to „mainstreamed Leader“ :  Leader axis – not any longer specific programmes; methodological approach to mainstream RD programming – 2125 LAGs

DG AGRI October Thank you for your attention !