Leader Observatory Conference:

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Leader Observatory ConferenceLeader
achievements a diversity of territorial
experience22-23 November 2007Évora/Portugal
European Commission

• Netherlands
• LAG Kromme Rijn

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LAG members in Evora

• Mrs Heleen van Rijnbach (chairperson LAG)
• Mrs Ellen Kok (citizen)
• Mrs Marieke Leentvaar (LAG coordinator)
• Mrs Jolanda Doornenbal (farmer)
• Mr Lodewijk le Grand (province)
• Mr Guus Beugelink (LAG member)
• Mrs Marry Overvest (LAG member)

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Order of the meeting

• Film Kromme Rijn
• We follow the EC-format
• Short comments on lead questions
• Partly interactive during presentation
• Three short discussion groups on key issues
• Say of local people and LAG in area policy and
  project selection
• sense and simplicity (Philips in Rural
  Development)
• How can we strengthen partnership LAG - EC in
  mainstreaming Leader

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Dutch State structure and policies ./. Kromme Rijn

• State
• policies for National Landscape, Ecological
  Corridors etc
• Provinces (Utrecht)
• Agenda Vital Countryside
• Agric Land Consolidation
• Cultural Heritage Old Dutch Defense system (water
  and fortresses)
• Kromme Rijn LAG
• local civil orgs 4 municipalities province
• LAG policy plan fits in Agenda Vital Countryside
• 4 Municipalities
• Rural Land use Plan ( legally binding for each
  hectare)
• Development of housing etc
• Many policy programs to be included in one area
  KR

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LAG start-up

• Call for ideas and participation by province
• Public and private organisations in LAG
• LAG without legal status
• Strategy develop L organisation, network and
  projects

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Main goals and achievements

• Integrated regional development
• Cooperation and Coordination
• Almost 30 Projects
• Awareness of (hidden) treasures
• Active LAG
• The Kromme Rijn region in the picture!

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Future risks and challenges

• How can we activate farmers?
• How can we commit the municipal councils to
  cofinance Leaderprojects without loosing
  independency LAG?
• How can we strenghten LAG position?
• Role other LAGs, network
• Role EC

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Key messages

• Demand Leader method with national and regional
  authorities
• Strong and clear position LAG
• Regional partners and funding
• Set-up rural-urban connections
• Administrative enlightment
• Innovative regional organisation
• Provide continuity in knowledge and commitment

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If we had to re-do it

• Sense and simplicity
• The result counts, not who did it
• Dare to decide
• Without exchange, no development
• LAG umbrella-project for small local initiatives

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Main risks in mainstreaming L approach

• new area policy ILG is dominant in RD 2007-13,
  but apparently has not learned from Leader.
• ILG Rural Investment Program national funds
  managed by provinces
• little continuity in knowledge and commitment
• enormous numbers of interim civil staff many
  changes
• 09-17 hrs mentality in civil service
• less independent decision making in RDP 2007-2013
• always national public money to be involved
• and one often feels so important
• not so in LAG!

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Mayor messages mainstreaming L

• Support from the EC towards national and regional
  authorities to be continued for the Leader
  approach. It has added value
• Innovation, risk taking and governance
• Youth perspective and women
• Good governance
• Rural Urban connections increasingly important
• New partnerships for new markets, education,
  funding
• Leader experiences relevant
• Keep it bright and simple
• Take business (Philips) as inspiration sense
  and simplicity
• Innovative organizations needed for publ-priv
  co-op in the area
• Joint Public Private steering and decision making
• Public Administration also risk-taking partner in
  area co-operative