February 21, 2017

LEADER SUBGROUP

The fourth meeting of the LEADER subgroup, held in Brussels on February 21, opened with a presentation by the COM on the status of Measure 19 in the various Member States. The measures that the future Omnibus Regulation will establish for the simplification of the CAP, which particularly affect LEADER, were also discussed.

An analysis of the main topics addressed by LEADER reveals that these correspond to the main needs identified in the territories, with the most frequently addressed being:
• employment, local economy, growth and competitiveness
• rural services
• climate change
• social inclusion and poverty reduction

The attendees commented on the need for the COM to provide more information on urban local action groups (LAGs) (DG REGIO) and to be more active in communicating between all the different types of LAGs (rural, fishing, urban).

The conclusions reached at the seminar "Achieving Results the DLP Way" were summarized, including the need to allow for errors to allow for innovation (innovation is inherently a risk) and the importance of communicating LEADER to enhance its successes.

Regarding the Cork Declaration, the impetus to be given to the bottom-up approach methodology to harness rural potential, and the objective of simplification in rural development policy, were highlighted.

The ELARD Presidency presented the Tartu Declaration, reached at the conference "Renewing LEADER/CLLD for 2020+; Celebrating 25 years of LEADER in Europe!". Among its messages, the need for LEADER to become a broader platform, extending to all EU policies, and strengthening closer dialogue between COMs and local action groups stood out. Furthermore, the groups require a real simplification of procedures to truly exercise their function, and a decoupling of LEADER from EAFRD measures for a truly bottom-up approach. Furthermore, the groups' involvement should extend not only to the assembly but also to all sectors of local society: businesses, youth, etc.

The Rural Development Evaluation Helpdesk presented the draft Guide for the Evaluation of LEADER/CLLD, which provides a framework for both managing authorities (MAs) in assessing the programming of Measure 19 in their programmes and its contribution to the objectives of the RDPs and the 2020 strategy, and for LAGs in assessing their LTAs in relation to the added value provided by budget implementation using the LEADER methodology. The Guide is expected to be finalized by the end of March.

The European Network for Rural Development presented the results of the European LEADER Cooperation Working Group, which now includes a draft Action Plan and a compilation of tools and actions to promote LEADER cooperation among the various Member States. These include the actions of the Spanish NRN (LEADER Cooperation Working Group, site visits to establish contacts, etc.). The online partner search tool, available to local action groups, was also mentioned.

The three networks (Rural Development Network, EIP, and Evaluation Network) outlined their upcoming activities and events in a schedule, and also noted the upcoming LINC 2017 event, which will not include LAGs from the westernmost part of the EU.

Finally, the representative of the European Solidarity Corps initiative spoke, urging participants to disseminate the public consultation that aims to define priorities for their actions. The consultation can be accessed at this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/content/public-consultation-european-solidarity-corps_es  

All subgroup presentations can be found at this link

“EXTENDING LEADER INNOVATION” SEMINAR

The LEADER innovation seminar took place on February 22 at the headquarters of the European Network for Rural Development and focused on the different ways in which LAGs and other stakeholders can strengthen and enhance LEADER's contribution to rural innovation at the local, regional, national and EU levels, broadening its scope and strengthening links with other rural innovation initiatives.

To illustrate this, local action groups from different Member States presented examples of innovative initiatives, including two Spanish ones: the LAG TAGUS (Cáceres), presenting its Strategy linked to Smart Specialisation around torta del casar, and the LAG of RIPOLLÈS GES-BISAURA, with its cooperation project ENFOCC (Energy, Forest and Climate Change).

The speakers agreed that LEADER has enormous potential to support innovation, given that LAGs, as representatives of the rural population, have a strong capacity to identify the needs of their territories and the specific challenges and opportunities they present. Furthermore, their composition offers a multisectoral perspective, allowing solutions and actions to be approached from a broader, more comprehensive perspective, involving all stakeholders.

It was also mentioned that in order to act as a support for innovation, groups must also innovate in the way they act as a bridge of communication between all local sectors, and the animation and training techniques. Group animation is fundamental for innovation at the local level.

The workshop presentations can be viewed here.