An online map developed by the Irish National Rural Network showcase a number of LEADER-supported projects across the country funded under the various themes and sub-themes of the LEADER Programme 2014-2020.
Topics include Enterprise Development, Rural Towns, Rural Tourism, Broadband, Rural Youth, Basic Services Targeted at Hard to Reach Communities, Sustainable Use and Protection of Water Resources, Protection and Improvement of Local Biodiversity and the Development of Renewable Energy.
In July 2020, Ireland's National Rural Network (NRN) launched an insightful video series highlighting the pivotal role women play in Irish agriculture.
Traditionally a male-dominated profession, this video series confirms a new era for women in farmin and shows resilient and innovative women leading the way on Irish farms.
The 2020 LEADER Impact Campaign by the Irish National Rural Network asked LEADER funding beneficiaries to submit a short video telling the story of how their LEADER-funded projects made a positive impact on their organisation, local community or environment.
An online map details all the entries and video submissions received from around the country during the campaign.
An article by the Slovenian Rural Network highlights the role of LEADER/CLLD in supporting rural tourism in Slovenia. This was the main topic of LEADER projects in the country in the 2014-2020 programming period.
Rural development projects financed through the CLLD approach brought many innovations to the Slovenian countryside. Such projects enable a better quality of life in villages and in urban settlements and build on local areas tourism offer and potential. In some places, this is crucial for the development of local tourism.
In the 2014-2020 programming period most LEADER/CLLD projects in Slovenia related to tourism. The most popular themes included creating and maintaining hiking and cycling routes, building rental points for electric bikes and building charging facilities (digitalisation).
The fifth ENRD LEADER Thematic Lab (held online on 26 November 2020) explored the role of LEADER and LEADER Local Action Groups in developing strategic approaches and initiatives with a potential to contribute to Green Deal objectives. The presentations from the day are now available on the event page.
The event was also an opportunity to promote the revamped LEADER Resources section of this website.
To learn more about LEADER read the dedicated EU Rural Review 29 'LEADER achievements'.
Find inspiring videos on ENRD's YouTube channel EURural - and feel free to share your own via our new section Share your rural story!
In this article by the Slovenian Rural Network, read how the Slovenian Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 supports the strengthening of short supply chains and food self-sufficiency through various Measures, including LEADER/CLLD.
This bottom-up approach, co-financed by three European funds (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and European Regional Development Fund), enables a wide range of projects bringing together and integrating different sectors and stakeholders in the local area.
The programme 'TRAFO – Models for Culture in Transformation', an initiative by the German Federal Cultural Foundation, has developed recommendations on how LEADER funding better can be suited to cultural and artistic projects.
So far in many German regions LEADER funding is used mainly for building and infrastructure projects. This paper (available in English and German) shows how the main obstacles for non-investment cultural projects could be overcome.
The paper has been developed together with the federal LAG umbrella organisation BAGLAG, LAG managers and experts from several ministries of German federal states.
In the picture: the project “Heimatkaravane” in Baden-Württemberg has been funded by TRAFO and LEADER. Photo: H. Hager
The report of the eighth meeting of the European Rural Networks' Assembly's permanent Sub-group on LEADER/CLLD (held online on 18 September 2020) is available on the event page. The page includes also the report of the mini-workshop on 'Improving LEADER delivery for resilient rural territories'.
The LSG meeting provided an update on Commission initiatives relating to LEADER and allowed LEADER stakeholders to share recent activities, responses to the COVID-19 situation, lessons learnd and plans for the future. LSG members had the opportunity to discuss and agree on the themes proposed for the ENRD CP’s LEADER work.
The mini-workshop on the same day was an opportunity to discuss elements of rural resilience and the relevant needs and roles of LEADER stakeholders in contributing to it.
A magazine published by the three Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Northern Savo (Finland) review projects and initiatives enabled by LEADER in the region.
The stories covered show the potential uses of LEADER funding for improving tourist accommodation, developing cultural projects and boosting local businesses - and more.
REDR - Spanish Network for Rural Development published a collection of good practices highlighting how LEADER helps pursue the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
According to the publication (in Spanish only), LEADER, the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda have many aspects in common. The report, prepared in collaboration with Local Action Groups, aligns LEADER initiatives with each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It shows how the LEADER method is a true precursor of the 2030 Agenda and its goals and how LAGs can be the ideal tools to continue promoting this sustainable roadmap in rural territories.
