LEADER experience in Hungary László Simon Building up support for rural development, Conference in Radom, Poland, May 2007

 LEADER in Hungary: since  2005: preparation of those interested  national and regional preparation sessions of 1 or 2 days each  : selection of LAGs in 2 steps  186 applicant LAGs  108 LAGs successful 1 st round  70 selected LAGs LEADER+ in Hungary Leading organisation Working organisation (Gestor) Local Assessment and Monitoring Committees

70 selected LAGs

Territorial data  The 70 selected LAGs consist of 960 settlements (31% of the settlements in the country)  The population of these settlements is 1,601,733 persons (16% of the population of the country)  The average population size per selected LAG is 22,882 persons  On average, 13.7 settlements belong to one LAG

LEADER+ in Hungary  : implementation  local tendering: about 3600 local project ideas submitted to LAGs  project selection by local assessment and monitoring committees  final decisions just being taken by Managing Authority  projects realized and payments finished until 1 September 2008

Experience on LAG level  It takes time to make the LEADER method accepted on local level (involvement of civils and entrepreneurs)  A ‘hardcore’ is needed at local level  LAG area differs from statistical micro-regions – problems might emerge  LAGs need legal entity  Growing value of civil organizations and entrepreneurs  Functioning communities  Hard to spread the idea of cooperation even on local level  Conflict on local level: the responsibility of decision- making

Experience on national level  LEADER needs different rules  Real LEADER projects need time to prepare  Post-payment may cause trouble for rural actors  General financial supporting rate is too low for entrepreneurs  Borders between LEADER and micro-regions should be clear  More emphasis on civil actors and entrepreneurs  Passively acting local governments should not hinder local and citizens to take part in LEADER  Cooperation projects should be supported from different source  LAGs financial support should be different  NNU should take part in mediation between the Managing Authority and the LAGs

Main experience LEADER NEEDS TIME

LEADER Changes in Hungarian LEADER Programme  LAGs become legal entities (associations?)  Expected LAG number: about 70  LAGs are expected to grow (area covered by LAGs: 31% to 50% of Hungary)  Higher grant (up to 10 times more)  Existing LAGs may remain, grow, transform  New LAGs also welcome and prepared  Separate support for cooperation  LEADER start in 2008

Project example (1) Preserving cultural heritage

Project example (2) Binding cultural heritage with tourism

Project example (3) Binding bio local products with renewable energy

Thank you for your attention Hungarian LEADER Centre (National Network Unit) Magyarországi LEADER Központ Szent István tér 11/B Budapest, Hungary Phone: