1. The LEADER method – transferring V4 experiences to Georgia
About the project
dr Magdalena Dej
Institute of Urban Development, Kraków, Poland

2. IDEA OF THE PROJECT
The general idea of the project is to prepare the LEADER model for Georgia, based on previous V4 countries experiences. This model, taking into acount Georgian social, economical and legal conditions, will be useful for encrasing the efficiency of international fund absorption in Georgia for rural areas development.
The LEADER programme (an acronym in French meaning “links between actions for the development of the rural economy”) is European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create jobs.
The LEADER method – effective mechanism of EU funds absorption stimulating the development of rural areas in Poland, other Central Europe countries and EU countries in general.

3. PROJECT PARTNERS Visegrad Fund Extended Standard Grant V4EaP 2014-2015
Visegrad Group Partners:
1. Institute of Urban Development, Kraków, Poland – leader of the project
2. Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information, Czech Republic
3. Hungarian Academy of Science, Hungary
4. Slovak Development Institute, Slovak Republic
5. Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics
Georgian Partners:
6. Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
7. Tbilisi State University
The project obtained financing from Visegrad Fund under the Extended Standard Grant Eastern Partnership. I would like to present also our research team which represents 7 research entities from all V4 countries and Georgia. There are:
Visegrad Group Partners:
1. Institute of Urban Development, Kraków, Poland – leader of the project
2. Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information, Czech Republic
3. Hungarian Academy of Science, Hungary
4. Slovak Development Institute, Slovak Republic
5. Research Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics
Georgian Partners:
6. Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies
7. Tbilisi State University
. Now I would like to welcome two of our V4 countries partners: Ms Marie Trantinova from Institute of Agricultural Economics and Information, Czech Republic
And Ms Agnes Eross from Hungarian Academy of Science,

4. MAIN PROJECT STAGES
1. Evaluation of the LEADER model in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Hungary 2. Gathering experiences of development projects implementation in rural areas in Georgia – field research 3. Study visit and the conference in Poland 4. Working seminar in Georgia (discussion of the proposal of the LEADER model) 5. Adaptation of the LEADER method for Georgia 6. Publication (in Georgian and English) about LEADER method in V4 countries and proposal of LEADER model for Georgia
The project was divided into 6 stages. 3 of them are completed.
1. Evaluation of the LEADER model implementation in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Hungary
2. Gathering the experience of aid projects implementation in rural areas of Georgia – field research
3. Study visit in Poland linked with the scientific conference
4. Working seminar in Georgia (discussion of the proposal of LEADER model)
5. Adaptation of the LEADER method for Georgia
6. Preparation of publication (two-languages book: in Georgian and English) about LEADER method in V4 countries and its implementation model for Georgia