LEADER transnational projects in Estonia

Rural Development Department Local Initiative and Human Environment Bureau Konstantin Mihhejev

Druskininkai, Lithuania , 22. June 2011

COUNTRY PROFILE

Location: Between Finland & Latvia, Sweden & Russian Federation

Size: Total 4.5 M ha (only 7 EU MS are smaller)

Land 4.3 M ha Forests 2.3 M ha Agricultural land 1.2 M ha

Population: 1.36 M (only 3 EU MS have less)

30 % in rural areas

The total ERDP budget of the programme period 2007-2013

The total ERDP budget is 924,8,9 mln EUR Axis I Improving the competitiveness

37,6% - 347,6 mln EURAxis II

Improving the environment36,2% - 334,4 mln EUR

Axis IIIQuality of life

12,9% - 118,9 mln EUR Axis VI

LEADER 9,3% - 85,8 mln EUR

Technical support4% - 38,1 mln EUR

Axis III

Axis II

Axis I

LEADER TA

Financial execution of ERDP(30.04.2011)

Commitments 551,2 mln. euro (59% of RDP)

Payments 371,8 mln. euro (40% of RDP)

Payments ratio to the commitments - 67,5%

ERDP 2007-2013

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Budget Commitments Payments

59%

40%

Financial execution of ERDP(30.04.2011)

0 20 40 60 80 100

Axis I

Axis II

Axis III

LEADER

TA

%

Budget Commitments Payments

Commitments were taken 46,1 mln.euro (53,8% of Leader budget)

Payments were made 20,8 mln.euro (16,0% of Leader budget)

Leader implementation 2007-2011

Estonia has 26 LAG-s coverage 99% of rural territory 24 LAGs – started implementation in 2009; 2 LAGs – started in 2010 The total number of applications submitted - 2 948 for 26,9 mln EUR.

17%

9%

74%

Private sector Local government Third sector

Among submitted applications by the ARIB ( 2 627) - 74% were submitted from NGOs.

The largest number of applications was submitted under the Axis III. There were some applications under Axis I.

Transnational cooperation

Approved TNC (14.06.2011): 1. Cooperation in Cultural Heritage

Exploitation2. Traditional sailing and maritime

heritage3. FENIX4. Clower Power. 4H twinning people.5. From Salla to Salla6. International Theme Routes7. Dare to Dream8. Loving Local Values9. Handicraft

Transnational cooperation

Avarage TNC budget 191 667 EUR. Estonian participatory amount 22 899 EUR or 12% of the TNC budget.

Main subjects are: national cultural heritage, expirience exchange, youth movement, tourism, cooperation between enterpreneurs.

Country Number of LAGs

Finland 8

Danemark 2

Czech Republic 2

Sweden 1

Slovakkia 1

Norway 1

Latvia 1

Leader TNC 2007-2013

TNC main procedures are regulated by the national Leader legislation.

TNC projects are part of the LAG strategy and budget. LAGs had to specify their project ideas in their LDS

without naming the potential project partners. The minimum or maximum number of cooperation

projects per LAG is not restricted. Maximum support per project is up to 200 000 EUR and

up to 90%. The eligibility criteria are the same as for local projects under the LEADER measure.

Expected number (indicator) of TNC – 40 Maximum number of TNC per LAG – no restrictions TNC with third countries – no restrictions Preparatory technical support is part of LAGs

administrative costs (visits, hosting and meetings with potential partners).

Refund rate for the TNC project is up to 90% Application procedure: on-going

Leader TNC 2007-2013

Way of selecting cooperation projects

The first selection of the projects to be financed is done by the evaluation committee of the LAG.

The Paying Agency verifies the eligibility of the applications (Paying Agency – evaluates TNC project applications in 60 workdays).

The applications goes at the same time to the Estonian Ministry of Agriculture who makes the official approval (MA evaluates TNC project applications in accordance with Leader national regulation and LAG regional strategy).

In case of inter-territorial cooperation projects the procedure ends on the level of Paying Agency.

Additional facts

Estonian LAGs have gained experience in 9 different transnational cooperation projects and approximately 50% of LAGs have experience in cooperation projects.

2 - 3 partners involved in TNC project. TNC project budget is 7 000 - 40 000 EUR. Evaluation period of TNC project application at the level of PA and

MA - 1,5 - 3 months.

Thank you for your attention!

Rural Development Department Local Initiative and Human Environment Bureau

leader@agri.ee