Twinning "Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" TR 07 AG 03 TL September 2010 / May 2011 Closing meeting May 12 th 2011

1. Leader method at a glance A local development strategy...  based on a common vision,  developed together by the public authorities and private actors living in a rural area,  leaded by a Local Action Group (LAG),  financially supported by EU Funding (IPARD). … to improve :  employment and economic development,  competitiveness of agriculture,  quality of life in rural areas. Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 2

2. Overall assessment of the project The Ministry of agriculture and Rural affairs (MARA) and the IPARD agency (TKDK) are aware of: Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 3 to act on a very tight schedule before the end of 2013 to rely on and train local and provincial staff to establish a LAG and to elaborate a strategy needs time to disseminate good practices and information about LEADER to mobilize coordinators to stimulate the local public/priva te partnership

2. Overall assessment of the project Together with MARA and IPARD agency, we assisted 2 rural communities to prepare their own local development strategie :.  2 pilot rural areas selected: district of Iskilip (province of Çorum) and (district of Birecik (province of Şanliurfa).  6 missions on-the-ground between January and April  2 national training sessions and 1 national event involving local stakeholders. Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 4

3. Mandatory results achieved Result 1 1. Establishment of institutional capacity 1.1. Trained 20 people from MARA, IPARD Agency and NGOs on the LEADER Measure 1.2. Prepared MA guideline and Turkish regulation on establishme nt of LAGs 1.3. Technical Fiche finalized 1.4. Organized study visit Objectively verifiable indicators Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 5 2 training sessions 23 people trained Sent to the Commission at the end of April April participants from local and central level (MARA & ARDSI) Finalized but some aspects lacking like the specific statutes of LAGs Results

Result 2 Managing Authority and IPARD Agency acquired the necessary skills to apply the Leader approach 2.1. Prepared guideline s for local developm ent strategies 2.2. Defined criteria for the selection of pilot areas 2.3. Drafted content of the Local Developmen t Strategy for two pilot areas 2.4 Establishment of Pilot LAGs Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 6 Available by the 7th month of the project Suggested by the 1st month of the project Established by the 4 th month Established by the 4th of the project Objectively verifiable indicators Results 3. Mandatory results achieved

Result 3 3. Raised awareness of related institutions and local people on Local development strategy 3.1. Workshops and meetings organized for local NGOs and stakeholders 3.2. Communication tools on general information on Leader measure prepared and published 12 workshops and more than 10 meetings organized both at central and local level Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 7 Objectively verifiable indicators Results - 2 leaflets - 1 brochure about Leader approach in Turkish - 1 brochure about the 2 pilot sites LDS in Turkish 3. Mandatory results achieved

4. A full team dedicated to the project 10 experts from France and Poland 188 working days during 8 months Rate of achievement : 95% Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 8

5. Final recommendations To pursue the capacity building of MARA and IPARD agency staff, for the next steps of the LEADER implementation To increase the number of MARA’s staff managing the LEADER measure  recruit at least 3 people To enhance the management of the measure implementation:  By setting up a steering committee co-chaired by the IPARD agency and MARA,  Meeting twice a month until the accreditation and the selection of LAGs. Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 9

5. Final recommendations The 2 pilot areas should pursue their experimentation and be financially supported before their official selection:  for improving their action plans,  for assisting local people to submit IPARD axis 3 projects,  for launching cooperation projects with EU LAGs. To convince other districts to establish new LAGs, before to officially launch Leader in Turkey (2012 ?). Closing meeting 12/05/2011 Twinning " Support for the implementation of Leader Measure under IPARD" 10

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