1. Financial support for integrated rural development in the Nitra Self-governing Region Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities International conference Local identity product – sustainable support systems for communities in Europe Riga, 15. - 18.02.2012 (Latvian rural forum)

2. How did we begin ? In 2006 - 2008 : Promoting preparation of 12 strategies (capacity building, strategy development, innovative methods, building partnerships, creating Local Action Groups: Integrated strategy = Stage 1 – resources audit, mapping and animation process (approx. 6 months) Stage 2 - strategic part, monitoring and assessment (approx. 6 months) Twinning Programmes – Finland, Austria, Czech Republic - Foreign business trips for representatives, members of the project team and potential beneficiaries of assistance, whose aim was to gain experience and exchange information about rural development in countries that have already implemented the LEADER approach. Networking our own professional capacities – investing in our own sustainable development (training and education programs) Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

3. Instruments to promote Integrated Rural Development in the Nitra Self-governing region Methodological support procedures approved by the Regional Board of the Nitra Self-governing region in 2008 Instrument 1 Instrument 2 Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

4. LEADER public – private partnerships in Nitra Region

5. End Users : 96 % - municipalities 4 % - civic associations End Users : 77 % - municipalities 23 % - civic associations, civic initiatives, businesses Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

6. Photo gallery of successful projects Co-financing of integrated territorial development strategies (provision of project grants) Nitra Self-governing Region – the first and to date only regional government in Slovakia to support Local Action Groups financially, and thus integrated rural development Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

7. Projects focused on modifying public open spaces Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

8. Construction of gazebos and water elements in villages Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

9. Projects to rescue rare trees and revitalise parks Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

10. Projects involving childrens playgrounds Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

11. Projects involving information boards and signs in micro- regions Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

12. Cooperation Projects – Introducing regional labelling of Nitra Region products - Creating a regional brand Cooperation between 3 local action groups and 3 public – private partnerships Financial support in the Nitra Self-Governing Region for public-private partnerships to fund the projects activities Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

13. Project preparation, application for a non-returnable financial grant, cooperation agreement, evaluation process and project approval: 2011. Project implementation: January 2012 – March 2013 Activities : - Completely screen manufacturers and service providers, - Involve them through individual and group meetings with managers, - Prepare product quality, marketing and management training course, - Implement training courses and information seminars, - Design and graphically lay out the regional brands logo, - Promote and publicise the project, - Establish a regional brand and a quality system for it, - Ensure institutionalised implementation of the brand (assessment, approval by the Commission), - Create a catalogue and website, - Screen shops and travel agencies for distribution. Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities

14. Thank you for your attention Ing. Martin Čaja Head of the Department of strategic activities www.leadernsk.sk Office of the Nitra Self-governing region Department of strategic activities