The Potential of Lags' Post 2013 Maura Walsh IRD Duhallow, Ireland 13 th May, 2010

Key dates in the development of the Rural Development Policy 1988: Reform of Structural Funds & The Future of Rural Society 1988: Reform of Structural Funds & The Future of Rural Society 1991: Launch of LEADER l Initiative: 1991: Launch of LEADER l Initiative: –First experience of the approach in 217 areas –Pilot a success & EC includes in CAP Reform –LAG structure established 1994: LEADER ll, extended to 1,000 rural areas 1994: LEADER ll, extended to 1,000 rural areas – All of Ireland covered with 36 LAGs –Innovation – getting LAGs to try new things 1996: Cork Declaration A Living Countryside established the rights of rural populations 1996: Cork Declaration A Living Countryside established the rights of rural populations

Key dates in the development of Rural Development Policy 2001: Launch of LEADER+ 2001: Launch of LEADER+ –A themed approach to development 2001: Gothenburg Declaration 2001: Gothenburg Declaration – Sustainable Development –Lisbon – Economic Competitiveness 2004:Commission proposal on rural development policy :Commission proposal on rural development policy –7% of budget recommended 4% accepted 2007: LEADER becomes part of mainstream CAP policy 2007: LEADER becomes part of mainstream CAP policy

IRD Duhallow simply as a LEADER Administration A Local Rural Development Agency operating across a wide range of Programmes and Initiatives to meet the needs of the community and region. Decision taken in 1992 – and developed since then OR

Specific Features Of LEADER Area based approach Bottom up approach Local Action Group The Integrated Approach Innovation Co-operation & Complimentarity Networking & Transnational Partners Financing

High Elderly Population is it a Liability or Asset Rural Transport Service Rural Transport Service 59,154 passengers last year- Employs 5;contracts 60 drivers 59,154 passengers last year- Employs 5;contracts 60 drivers Rural Meal Service Rural Meal Service 22,097 delivered last year Employs 17 Energy Conservation Energy Conservation Insulated 400 homes – 10 jobs Care & Repair Care & Repair 10 volunteers – 111 repairs Friendly Phone Call Friendly Phone Call New initiative employs 2 part-time

Background ELARD International non-profit organisation, founded in 1999 by five National LEADER Networks International non-profit organisation, founded in 1999 by five National LEADER Networks - French LEADER Network; Greek LEADER Network; Irish LEADER Network; Italian LEADER Network; Spanish LEADER Network; ELARD now represents 800 Local Action Groups throughout; France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, North Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Lativa, Hungary; ELARD now represents 800 Local Action Groups throughout; France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, North Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Lativa, Hungary;

ELARD Promotes The LEADER Approach The most important goal of ELARD campaign to spread the philosophy, principles and scope of the LEADER method grounded in its seven specific features in order to achieve sustainable rural development across Europe

LEADER method recognised all over Europe LEADER method recognised all over Europe LEADER = local people as the main asset of rural areas LEADER = local people as the main asset of rural areas Success of LEADER projects; responsibility placed on local people from local areas & their ability to discover the best for their environment, culture, working traditions & skills Success of LEADER projects; responsibility placed on local people from local areas & their ability to discover the best for their environment, culture, working traditions & skills Over 56% of the population in the 27 member states of EU living in rural areas which cover 91% of the territory

Networking & Transnational As a means of fast tracking learning As a means of fast tracking learning As a means of mutual support As a means of mutual support To identify good/best practice To identify good/best practice To identify further innovations To identify further innovations To share as well as to learn To share as well as to learn To achieve economies of scale To achieve economies of scale To access new programmes To access new programmes To develop the best response for your area To develop the best response for your area

What's happening at EC Level EN RD Thematic Working Groups Commission has established 4 EN RD TWGs Commission has established 4 EN RD TWGs Focus on specific Rural Development Programme Thematic Priorities Focus on specific Rural Development Programme Thematic Priorities In-depth analysis of EU Rural Development Policy Implementation In-depth analysis of EU Rural Development Policy Implementation Contribute to the understanding, diffusion & improvement of policy implementation Contribute to the understanding, diffusion & improvement of policy implementation

Thematic Working groups TWG 1; Targeting rural specificities & needs TWG 1; Targeting rural specificities & needs TWG 2; Linkages between agriculture & the wider rural economy TWG 2; Linkages between agriculture & the wider rural economy TWG 3; Public goods & public intervention TWG 3; Public goods & public intervention TWG 4; Delivery mechanisms of EU Rural Development Policy TWG 4; Delivery mechanisms of EU Rural Development Policy ELARD has representation on all four groups ELARD has representation on all four groups

What of the Future?

What of the Future…. CAP Reform -negotiations are extremely important and ongoing at present CAP Reform -negotiations are extremely important and ongoing at present LAGs & Networks should develop a response to Commissioner Jean-Luc Demartys call for submissions LAGs & Networks should develop a response to Commissioner Jean-Luc Demartys call for submissions LEADER & LAG type structures to feature post 2013 LEADER & LAG type structures to feature post 2013 Budgets should be increased - counter lobby from farmers in run up to 2013 Budgets should be increased - counter lobby from farmers in run up to 2013 Rural areas being re-defined Rural areas being re-defined –Which towns are not Rural

What of the future….. Vision expressed by José Manuel Sousa Uva DG Agri:- a LAG operating in a defined territory will examine assets & weaknesses of that area & devise an integrated strategy It will draw not just from LEADER but perhaps from LIFE Prog for Environment DG Regio, DG Social Affairs, DG Fisheries & also Member State initiatives to implement that strategy

What of the Future….. Integration & Complimentarity will be a major part of strategies Integration & Complimentarity will be a major part of strategies Delivery mechanisms - LAG with majority of members from civil society Delivery mechanisms - LAG with majority of members from civil society All Rural areas should have LAGs All Rural areas should have LAGs Gender Equality Theme of the Caceres Declaration 2010 (Spain) Gender Equality Theme of the Caceres Declaration 2010 (Spain) Without Women & Young people Rural Europe has no future Without Women & Young people Rural Europe has no future

What LAGs Need To Do To prepare for post 2013 Do the best job possible on the current programme – Everyone likes a success Do the best job possible on the current programme – Everyone likes a success Have it evaluated independently Have it evaluated independently Develop your LAG Structures, Processes & Procedures – Board, Sub-committees & Staff Develop your LAG Structures, Processes & Procedures – Board, Sub-committees & Staff Look at your area strategically from all aspects – Social, Cultural, Economic & Environmental Look at your area strategically from all aspects – Social, Cultural, Economic & Environmental Gender Equality & Youth Should feature Gender Equality & Youth Should feature

What LAGs need to do to prepare for post 2013 Start collecting data on your area well before 2014 – if its not available centrally collect it yourself !! Start collecting data on your area well before 2014 – if its not available centrally collect it yourself !! Use asset based approach Use asset based approach Identify the many funding streams & the possible collaboration between them at LAG level. Identify the many funding streams & the possible collaboration between them at LAG level. Work on the basis of co-operation rather than demarcation Work on the basis of co-operation rather than demarcation Stay in touch with the Networks Stay in touch with the Networks