Transcript Leader+ by MLaw.pps - Natura International

European Commission
Leader+ OBSERVATORY
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
Outline of presentation
 The ‘Leader approach’ – what it means
 Leader+ funded projects: some relevant examples to date
Understanding the Leader approach
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The key benefit is in the approach:
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Leader is based on local strategies which are area-based and make best use
of existing resources, and capitalise on a common identity
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Public-private partnerships known as local action groups (LAGs) identify
development needs which are set out in a plan
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Leader funding supports LAGs’ plans and encourages the development of
small-scale, innovative projects that help achieve sustainable development
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Promotes inter-territorial and trans-national cooperation between LAGs across
the EU to develop joint projects and build networks
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!
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
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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.
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Addressing the Leader approach:
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Area based: using local natural + human resources, and taking account of local needs (to
improve the competitivity of local farm products)
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Bottom-up: participation of GOB + volunteers
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Partnership approach: GOB; farmers and landowners; public sector; schools; and tourism sector
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Innovation: social dialogue between partners; multiplier effect to increase environmental
awareness
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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)
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Networking and cooperation: GOB works part of a national network to promote voluntary
conservation of the environment
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Local finance and management: LAG selects project and manages funding
PLUS
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Transferability: the methods used to reach agreements; the model which is economically and
environmentally viable
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Sustainability: pilot project shows possibility to produce high quality, environmentally aware
products, and introduce behavioural changes.
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Project Funding: “Agreements and sustainable agrarian practices”
Total budget:
EAGGF:
Public National:
Private Funding:

EUR
EUR
EUR
EUR
24 179
6 503
6 503
11 173
Low funding but high territorial impact
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
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environment (local flora and fauna) of these protected areas
Consistent with the region’s ‘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
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Addressing the Leader approach:
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Area based: builds on the strengths of the area to exploit its ecosystems, natural cultural heritage,
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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 ecotourism
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
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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.
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Project Funding: “Adding value to Nature 2000 sites through signposting”
Total budget:
EAGGF:
Public National:

EUR 130 000
EUR 97 500
EUR 32 500
Low funding but high territorial impact
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 area’s diverse
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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.
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Addressing the Leader approach:
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Area based: links the spectacular and protected alpine scenery with a well-defined tourist offer
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Bottom-up: concensus among local actors to build a local culture of cooperation; public
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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 area’s 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
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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.
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Project Funding: “Nature GeoLine”
Total budget:
EAGGF:
Public National:
Private Funding:

EUR 1 939 000
EUR 584 000
EUR 200 000
EUR 1 155 000
High territorial impact, high private sector contribution
Specific Leader+ funded projects contd…
Find details of more Leader+ funded projects:

European database of Leader+ Good Practise
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rur/leaderplus/gpdb_en.htm

Leader+ Magazine
Subscribe or download via web-site
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rur/leaderplus/publications/magazine12005_en.htm
or write to the Leader+ Contact Point: [email protected]
Workshop on Sustainability of the Natura 2000 network
Thank you for your attention !