1. LEADER & Rural Development Past - Present - Future Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02.- 01.03.2013

2. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Past: 2003-2005 Hungary - Experimental LEADER : Insufficient National RD funds, some 26 rural communities involved, more methodology, less visible development. Creating local/regional publications, elaboration of studies, organize community meetings. Very few infrastructure-like projects.

3. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Past: 2006-2008 LEADER+ : 136 LAG application, 68+2 approved. Many small projects (EUR 2000-10,000), important community cohesion, growing civil interest. E.g. open stage theatre, fishing platforms, local cooking courses, foreign language courses, tourism paths, study trails, etc. Kozard area: South-Cserhat LAG, 13 villages, 14,500 inhabit.

4. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Past: 2006-2008 LEADER+ : LAGs had no-legal entity status. Managed and represented by the Gestor Organization: Euragro Llc., Kozard, Member of the Hungarian LEADER Association. Member of ELARD. Implemented 55 projects

5. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : 96 LAGs have been approved in September 2008. Almost national coverage – Political shadow!

6. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : Seemingly „normal” budget, 5% of EFARD for Axis IV. (EUR 2-3 Million, incl. Axis III-IV).

7. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : Partial delegation of Axis III measures to LAGs: Microentreprise development, Tourism, Village development, Rural heritage.

8. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : Very slow start-up, 2009-2010: almost no progress by MA an PA. Cumbersome implementation procedures. Financing obstacles – Economic Crisis, negative attitudes of Banks.

9. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : 2010: Change of Government, Overall streamlining, Mid-term evaluation, persecutions, New political regime – New priorities

10. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - HUNGARY : Shorthened project decision, but minor simplification. Top-down / manual control by MA Overdominance of the Paying Agency

11. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - LAG Cserhatalja: 26 municipalities, incl. One small town with 34,500 inhabitants. Legal form: Non-Profit Company Ltd. 104 shareholders, 12 Board members LEADER Office with 7 employees

12. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LEADER - LAG Cserhatalja: 2011: Due to new Government pressure – LEADER title withdrawn from Non-Profit Ltds. Mandatory formation of NGO was ordered: Cserhatalja RD Association registered. Cumbersome implementation procedures

13. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LAG CSERHATALJA : Solid mix of Public, Civil and SME members. Successful LDS implementation Focus on employment generation, fostering economic growth, strengthening local community cohesion.

14. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 LAG CSERHATALJA : Preferences: 1) Rural Tourism, 2) Village development, 3) Microentreprise development, 4) Rural heritage.

15. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION (TNC): Long delay in announcing Finally the call is open (Nov. 2012) Urgency in finding partners

16. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 OUR TNC PROPSALS: 1)Along Bird’s Routes 2)Supporting local products 3)RENEW-ENERGY - Crossborder őrojects for renewable energy

17. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 1) Along Bird’s Routes:  Concieved in Lapland, 2009  Eco-tourism and Biodiversity project  Follow migratory birds’ paths  Composition: 5-6 partners  Budget forecast: EUR 60,000

18. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 Along Bird’s Routes (Cont.):  Objectives:  Connect partners in symbolic ways  Line-up cooperation along flying paths of migratory birds  Contribute to eco-touristic offers

19. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 Along Bird’s Routes (Cont.):  Activities:  Secure cooperating partner LAGs (Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain)

20. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 Along Bird’s Routes (Cont.):  Activities:  Organize introductory meeting  Submit project for approval in all LAGs/Countries concerned

21. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 Along Bird’s Routes (Cont.):  Activities:  Set-up project management structure  Finalize activity plan  Implement and Disseminate

22. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 Along Bird’s Routes (Cont.):  Take care of bird habitat protection  Harmonize biotop management practices with eco-tourism benefits  Contribute to Sustainable Agriculture through Ecological Modernisation

23. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 2) Supporting production and marketing of local products:  Focus on strengthened local economy  Creating rural jobs through local farming, food processing, trading

24. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 2) Supporting local products:  Objective: share best practices  Must be implemented together with „short-chained” marketing  Budget forecast: EUR 25,000  Pertners: 3-5 EU and 1 Non-EU

25. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 3) RENEW-ENERGY: Promote Renewable Energy for Rural Communities:  Objective: learn more about renewenergy sources

26. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Present: 2007-2013 4) CULTRURAL – Rural Cultural exchanges:  Place rural heritage to daily life of communities  Budget forecast: EUR 20,000  Partners from 4-6 countries

27. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : AGRI, EMPL, MARE, REGIO: to go for CLLD! New and Innovative tool for involving citizens MFF – potential access for development funds rapidly discovered by the public sector. LAGs must be active in participating in the territorial planning process!

28. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : Help to develop responses to the Social, Environmental and Economic challenges we face today. CLLD is an approach that requires time and efforts With small investment it can have marked impact on people’s lives, generate new ideas

29. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : The Commission expect CLLD to facilitate implementing integrated approaches among the European Structural and Investment Funds concerned to achieve at local level the 11 thematic objectives of the proposed Common Provisions Regulation 2014-2020.

30. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : Eligibility for small and bigger cities Focus on Rural Urban Patnership Driving principle: EIP – European Innovation Partnership. Much depends on MS Government decision Crucial year for planning: 2013

31. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : Be prepared to develop integrated Local Strategies beyond rural interest. Must follow bottom-up approach We have to pursue MS government ideas to put CLLD on right track LAGs can work in CLLD context

32. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : We must have flexible framework We should strogly involve local stakeholders in planning Define at MS level, which objectives go to the Partnership Agreement How to activate them? Mono or MultiFund?

33. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : We have to see clearly at early stage what will be the role of intermediate bodies, like the County, Province or Region? In many areas LAGs are not invited yet, please follow the process carefully Serious issue: Territorial planners are not with us!

34. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : Important: Autonomy of LAGs are essential! Continue put pressure on Paying Agency for tangible streamlining and simplification Reduction of payment period

35. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Future: 2014-2020 LEADER & CLLD : Important: This is your Future, Don’t give up!

36. Dr. Pal Hajas, President, LAG Cserhatalja, Kozard, Hungary, Member of ELARD Council International Cooperation Seminar in Estonia Peipsi-Alutaguse area, 25.02 - 01.03.2013 Thanks for your attention