Paul Keating

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The Evolution of LEADER Teagasc National Rural
Deevelopment Conference 2008 Embrasing Change
Paul Keating Rural Development Specialist
Tipperary Institute
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Content

• The context of LEADER
• The LEADER method
• The LEADER movement
• The challange of change

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Ireland
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The Context

• Ireland in the late 80s
• Structural funds and the Future of Rural
  Society
• Social partnership

• Emigration to immigration
• Enlargement the EARDF and Cohesion
• Ireland in the late 00s

• GATT and CAP reform
• Cork and Salzburg
• Dept of Community Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs

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The LEADER method

• 1. THE AREA BASED APPROACH
• 2. THE LOCAL ACTION GROUP

3. THE BOTTOM UP APPROACH 4. INNOVATION 5.
INTEGRATION/PARTNERSHIP

• 6. TRANS-NATIONAL CO-OPERATION
• 7. FINANCIAL MEASURES

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The LEADER method

• Between 10,000 and 100,000 inhabitants
• 5000-150,000 for the next programme
• Regions vary in size
• 477km2 (ADRAMA in Portugal)
• 14,425km2 (PPKRY in Finland)
• Varying Governance Structures
• Limited companies in Ireland
• non-profit consortia in Italy,
• inter-municipal associations and nature parks in
  France,
• cooperatives, associations and joint-stock
  companies

• 893 600 LAGs across the EU ELARD

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The LEADER method

• Local Action Groups Compile and implement a
  Strategic plan with specific measures.
• Training
• Analysis and Development
• Innovative rural enterprises, craft enterprises
  and local services/facilities
• Exploitation of agriculture, forestry and
  fisheries products
• Enhancement of natural/built/social/cultural
  environment
• Environmentally friendly initiatives
• Animation and capacity building

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LEADER Movement In Ireland

• Institutional Strengths
• Established and Expanded Legitimacy through EARDF
  
• 35 LAGs with Full National Coverage.
• Strategic Partner of the Department of Community
  Rural Gaelteacht Affairs.
• Resource Strengths
• Mechanism to Access EU Programmes
• EARDF (500 Million Euro)
• INTEREG, PEACE, EQUAL, LEARNADO, SOCRATES,
  Carrefour
• Mechanism to Roll-Out National Rural Development
  Programmes
• Rural Social Scheme (2500 employees)
• Rural Transport Initiative

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The LEADER Movement

• LEADER method is to be a key element in EU
  agriculture and rural development policy
• LEADER is a European-wide movement
• In Ireland LEADER is substantially more than the
  LEADER programme
• Resources to Rural Development are Increasing

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The Challenges of Change

• This is a Period of Transition for LEADER
• The transition between programmes
• The process of cohesion
• The rural context is changing rapidly
• Macro Economic and settlement patterns
• Agriculture and Rural manufacturing jobs
• Public Expectations and Identity

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The challenges of Change

• Challenges emerging from Cohesion
• Geographic coherence, institutional upheaval
• Meeting of Cultures
• Maintaining the motivation of board and staff
• Remaining relevant and active in the community
• Further developing the LEADER approach

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Evolving the LEADER Approach

• LEADERSHIP in rural Development is needed now as
  much as it ever has been.
• LEADER must bring their values and approaches to
  the new integrated bodies.
• LEADER must develop a strategic approach which is
  complimentary to its practice
• Research, Document, Analyse, Publish.
• LEADER needs to find its voice and lead!!

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