Leader Axis

Rural Development Policy 2007-2013

by Jean-Michel Courades AGRI-F3

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Definition of « Mainstreaming » “Mainstreaming generally describes the transfer to

and integration in the wider policies of the EU, member states and/or regions, of the lessons drawn from a particular experience of innovation.

Mainstreaming LEADER in 2007-2013 describes the transfer of all of the LEADER approach to mainstream rural development programs.

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The Community strategic guidelines for axis 4The EU priorities: Use the Leader approach for achieving strategic

objectives of one or several axis – better governance at the local level– endogenous development (local resources for

growth and jobs)

Key actions: local capacity building, public-private partnerships,networking and cooperation, mutually supportive actionsbetween agriculture, the environment and the wider ruraleconomy and population, sustainability

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Roles of the Leader axis for the rural development strategy= governance tool= innovation tool= territorial tool= integration tool= endogenous development tool

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Innovation Most of the 1000 LAG in Europe will still

exist in 2007 and be the engine for developing innovative actions in rural areas.

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Conception of the Leader axisLocal strategy implementation ensuring experimentation on intervention

any operation within the scope of the 3 axis objectives is eligible and respecting the delimitation with other EU funds

it means that operation do not necessarily correspond to one of the 37 measures

If project enters into the scope of application of one of the measures eligibility conditions of the measure apply.

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Conception of Leader Axis The various policy options wider thematic and geographical scope of

application) – Application to the 3 axis– Geographical application (application on a

wider scale for certain MS only)

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Wider thematic application of Leader Axis ? The LEADER-axis is a horizontal,

methodological axis, which will have to be implemented in one or more of the vertical, thematic axes. In terms of content, choices will thus have to be made were LEADER can be best applied

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Policy options : geographical application Continuing with the same and/or with different areas? EU governance objective : to increase the

number of selected Lags in MS regions not totally covered

To increase the critical mass of existing Lags if recommended by Mid term evaluation :

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Council Regulation relevant provisions

Specific chapter / Section on axis 4 (Articles 61 to 65)– Definition of Leader approach and local action

group (Art. 61 and 62)– Leader measures and conditions (Art. 63 to 65)

Other chapters– Balance between objectives (Art.17)– EARDF contribution (Art.70)– Technical assistance: Networking (Art. 67 and

68)

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Definition of the Leader approachat programme level(Art 61)

a) area-based approach *

b) bottom-up approach*

c) public-private partnership*

d) integrated approach *

e) innovation

f) cooperation

g) networking *

* mandatory at Local action group level as well

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Delivery system measures (Art 63)

a) Implementing local development strategies to achieve the obejctive of one or more of the 3 axis

b) Cooperation 

c) Running the local action group, acquisition of skills and animating the

territory .

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Leader activities of the National Rural Network Mandatory LAG participation (and

corresponding eligible expanditure) Skills acquisition (e.g. training programme

for LAG being established) Support to cooperation (e.g. cooperation

meetings)

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Balance between objectives (Art.17)

Leader axis budget :– At least 5 % of total EARDF contribution in the old MS– At least 2,5% in the new MS.– Romania and Bulgaria (2,5% from 2010)

Budget of Leader axis will be split into 3 axis to calculate the contribution for each axis.

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EARDF contribution (Art.70)increased participation + 5% 80 % of public expenditure in regions covered by the

convergence objective 55 % of public expenditure in other regions

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Decision making process in the implementation of local strategy (2007-2013) procedure for the selection of operations by the local action groups, and description of the financial circuits applicable for local action

groups shall be described in the programme.

Bottom up principle to respect : Individual projects/operations selected by local action groups (assessment of project relevance toward local strategy)

Eligibility checks (legal control) made by the Managing Authority/Paying Agency in the majority of MS

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Adoption of projects LAG :

– Local calls for proposals (transparency and equal treatment with objective selection criteria)

– Selection of projects among list of submitted projects (quality assessment in relation to the local development strategy)

MA/PA – Ex- ante eligibility checks – Formal approval by MA/PA

Notification to project owner/grant agrement (MA/PA or LAG)

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Project Selection criteria Quality assessment

– Relevance and added value for the local development strategy

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Role of LAGs Information and meetings with potential

beneficiaries Technical assistance for project

development Reception and eligibility assessment of

proposals Selection of projects by the private-public

partnership (selection committee)

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Cooperation

Inter-territorial cooperation Transnational cooperation

– Within EU– With rural territories in third countries

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Cooperation procedures

Can be integrated in local development strategy– Advantages : coherent with the bottom up approach; quicker

procedure since local action groups select the projects (Art.62.4); cooperation is coherent with the strategy

If not integrated in local strategy, authorization by the managing authorities (submission possible until 31.12.2003)– Advantages : better control on the respect of requirements (e.g.

presence of a common action) Coordination mechanism at EU level