Leader OBSERVATORY

1
Leader OBSERVATORY
European Commission

• Leader funding for environmental, social and
  economic benefit
• Martin LAW, Leader Contact Point, Brussels
• Workshop on Sustainability of the Natura 2000
  network
• Peterborough, October 18 2007

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Outline of presentation

• The Leader approach what it means
• Leader funded projects some relevant examples
  to date

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Understanding the Leader approach

• The key benefit is in the approach
• Leader is based on local strategies which are
  area-based and make best use of existing
  resources, and capitalise on a common identity
• Public-private partnerships known as local action
  groups (LAGs) identify development needs which
  are set out in a plan
• Leader funding supports LAGs plans and
  encourages the development of small-scale,
  innovative projects that help achieve sustainable
  development
• Promotes inter-territorial and trans-national
  cooperation between LAGs across the EU to develop
  joint projects and build networks

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Understanding the Leader approach

• The Leader approach
• Promotes the cooperation and development
  of integrated projects, and is very suitable for
  areas with strategies that
• Combine nature conservation and land use
  in a sustainable way, e.g. enhancing the value of
  diverse Natura 2000 sites by projects related to
  eco-tourism or marketing of sustainable regional
  products.
• Where the key benefit is the approach and not as
  a source of large funding!

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Specific Leader funded projects

• 1. Spain (Menorca) - Agreements and sustainable
  agrarian practices 
• Partners the LAG Illa de Menorca the
  Baleares Group of Ornithology and Nature
  Protection (GOB)
• Aims to reach voluntary agreements with farmers
  and the GOB to combine sustainable environmental
  management with economic viability
• Ensures environmentally friendly farm production
  and high quality value added products
• Allows compatibility between environmental
  protection and economic activity
• Main output publication of a guide specifying 38
  measures for agrarian good practice. This has
  led to a change in mentality in the farming
  sector economic and environmental improvements.
  

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Addressing the Leader approach
• Area based using local natural human
  resources, and taking account of local needs (to
  improve the competitivity of local farm products)
• Bottom-up participation of GOB volunteers
• Partnership approach GOB farmers and
  landowners public sector schools and tourism
  sector
• Innovation social dialogue between partners
  multiplier effect to increase environmental
  awareness
• Integrated approach between the tourism and
  farming sectors participation of schools and
  agro-shops for awareness raising link with the
  project CARB (contract for the preservation of
  the biosphere)
• Networking and cooperation GOB works part of a
  national network to promote voluntary
  conservation of the environment
• Local finance and management LAG selects project
  and manages funding
• PLUS
• Transferability the methods used to reach
  agreements the model which is economically and
  environmentally viable
• Sustainability pilot project shows possibility
  to produce high quality, environmentally aware
  products, and introduce behavioural changes.

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Project Funding Agreements and sustainable
  agrarian practices 
• Total budget EUR 24 179
• EAGGF EUR 6 503
• Public National EUR 6 503
• Private Funding EUR 11 173
• Low funding but high territorial impact

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• 2. Greece (South East Peloponese) - Adding value
  to Nature 2000 sites through signposting 
• The LAG PARNON S.A the Greek Ornithological
  Society
• Aims to inform visitors by using information
  signposts, about the natural environment (local
  flora and fauna) of these protected areas
• Consistent with the regions Eco-development
  plan for soft economic development
• Information to be used for environmental
  education in local schools
• Main project beneficiary is the Greek
  Ornithological Society who organised the project
  activities
• Main outputs Project acts as a main centre for
  environmental information in the LAG intervention
  area creates awareness and interest beyond the
  normal tourist destinations for visitors and
  local population alike increased the quality of
  tourism in the area

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Addressing the Leader approach
• Area based builds on the strengths of the area
  to exploit its ecosystems, natural cultural
  heritage, while addressing the weakness of poor
  economic development. A high visitor inflow will
  have multiplier effects on local development.
• Bottom-up concensus among local actors to build
  a local culture of cooperation public
  consultation in the design and implementation of
  the project
• Partnership approach wide range of partners
  development agencies, local public
  administrations, agricultural cooperatives,
  mountain climbing and cultural associations etc
• Innovation project filled a gap for information
  on environmental awareness necessary for
  eco-tourism
• Integrated approach project complements other
  environmental initiatives
• Networking and cooperation for mapping natural
  spaces, the project used information from the
  Geography service of the Greek army developed a
  large database to be shared for similar
  initiatives
• Local finance and management LAG selects project
  and manages funding
• PLUS
• Transferability high potential to transfer to
  similar areas, especially GIS system for mapping
  and information gathering, the development of
  signposts, and working with schools
• Sustainability economic sustainabilty is not
  main issue but maintenance and updating of
  signposted information is. This is guaranteed by
  large range of local actors as key project
  stakeholders.

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Project Funding Adding value to Nature 2000
  sites through signposting 
•  
• Total budget EUR 130 000
• EAGGF EUR 97 500
• Public National EUR 32 500
• Low funding but high territorial impact

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• 3. Austria (Steiermark) - Nature GeoLine
• The LAG Gesäuse-Eisenwurzen 12 local
  municipalities
• Aims to develop a unique branding for tourism
  based on the areas diverse natural (geological)
  assets
• Brings together 30 projects under Nature
  GeoLine geology, botany and regional history
  and includes a range of tourist sites and
  attractions
• Project also acts as an umbrella for two smaller
  regions allowing GeoLine to develop and promote
  the whole region focus on Geo Village Gams
• Currently 19 top GeoLine destinations participate
  in initiative.
• Outputs geological exhibition cave trail video
  about natural formations reconstruction of a
  wooden footbridge development of trails, 3D
  models, cyber flight over the mountain range.

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Addressing the Leader approach
• Area based links the spectacular and protected
  alpine scenery with a well-defined tourist offer
• Bottom-up concensus among local actors to build
  a local culture of cooperation public
  consultation in the design and implementation of
  the project
• Partnership approach Managed by the LAG who
  established the network and promotes contacts
  among the players involved and other Geoparks
• Innovation the guiding theme and strategy high
  quality standards related to educational content
  the bundling of the different activities in a
  broad awareness-raising strategy and cooperation
  with other European Geoparks to ensure knowledge
  transfer related to standards in geo-tourism
• Integrated approach the project added value to
  the areas natural asset in order to broaden the
  tourist offer starting with the Nature Park
  Styrian Eisenwurzen
• Networking and cooperation works with the
  European Geoparks and UNESCO Global Geoparks to
  have exchange of ideas linked to an INTERREG
  IIIc project, and another LAG project Snail
  Safari to be included in the GeoLine initiative
• Local finance and management LAG financed by 12
  member communities for the GeoLine project, all
  19 partners contribute to the finance for common
  marketing and project management
• PLUS
• Transferability high potential to transfer as
  evidenced by the INTERREG IIIc project.
• Sustainability the project generates regional
  income and adds value and collaboration with new
  partners and projects ensures sustainability.

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Project Funding Nature GeoLine  
•  
• Total budget EUR 1 939 000
• EAGGF EUR 584 000
• Public National EUR 200 000
• Private Funding EUR 1 155 000
• High territorial impact, high private sector
  contribution

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Specific Leader funded projects contd

• Find details of more Leader funded projects
• European database of Leader Good Practise
• http//ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rur/leader
  plus/gpdb_en.htm
• Leader Magazine
• Subscribe or download via web-site
• http//ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rur/leader
  plus/publications/magazine12005_en.htm
• or write to the Leader Contact Point
  contact.point_at_leaderplus.org

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Workshop on Sustainability of the Natura 2000
network

• Thank you for your attention !