1. Transnational Cooperation or how to implement Local Development Strategy efficiently through the Leader measure 421 Matej Štepec Rural Development Division The Hudičevec Tourist Farm, 3.7.2009 REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

2. 2 WHY TO COOPERATE? to improve what already exists (existing activities, methods …) to acquire know-how, a method or a skill that was not initially present in the local area to achive critical mass (more funds, new experts, biger market for products) To implement a local development strategy more effective!

3. 3 BEFORE STARTING.ask yourself Each cooperative LAG must have answered the following questions: What have we implement good so far – where are our strenghts? What problem do my local area has and cooperation could help solving it? giving – taking relationship

4. 4 BEFORE STARTING.be prepared Before the first visit take place LAG should: –Get informed about the hosting country and hosting LAG area - geography, history, economy, people, culture etc. –Inform your host about your expectations, areas of your interests, what kind of good practices you would like to know etc. –Technical preparations: pre-program, logistic organisation, working languages etc. –Specify the methods for payment of costs to avoid any misunderstanding.

5. 5 –exchange information about the issues in situ - “it is time to discuss” –have enough time - allow some time also for the informal events –keep to the agenda –get the information how all partners implement the Leader measure 421 GET TO KNOW.in-depth observation on a visit

6. 6 PREPARING A COOPERATION PROJECT Partners should prepare a draft document and set: common objectives of the project, structure to manage and implement the project, communication tools, timetable, funding (own fund, Leader fund) mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of the implemantation Ask yourself questions – leave no stone unturned: What can go wrong? And prepare answers: If there will not be sufficient funds/time we will … If one of the partner will withdraw we will … If new partner would like to join we will … Include in the Cooperation agreement!

7. 7 How we implement the Leader measure 421 MEASURE DESCRIPTION What kind of TNC we support: –the exchange of experience, –transfer of good practices and –information flow between LAG areas of Member States and with LAG-like areas of third countries.

8. 8 How we implement the Leader measure 421 BENEFICIARIES Operating LAGs with approved local development strategies who would be eligible to implement cooperation projects. 33 approved LAGs

9. 9 How we implement the Leader measure 421 JOINT ACTION Cooperating LAGs or similarly formed groups draw up a joint cooperation project = take an active role in the project share out responisbilities: financial, implementing, promoting, evaluating gain something Each of the cooperating partners should:

10. 10 preparatory costs, material costs arising from the implementation of the cooperation project, experience exchange costs and information actions costs between the cooperating LAGs. Support is granted only for expenses related to the areas within the Community. Each cooperating LAG may claim the support only for its own expenses. How we implement the Leader measure 421 ELIGIBLE COSTS

11. 11 How we implement the Leader measure 421 FINANCIAL PROVISION 1 Ten percent of all the funds for axis 4 or 844,000 EUR is devoted between 33 LAGs to the cooperation projects. But there is no cumpulsory for the individual LAG. The indicative allocation of funds per individual LAG is set on: the basis of the number of inhabitants, LAG surface (km 2 ) and the quality of the development strategy

12. 12 LAG can spend: up to 20 % of dedicated resources on running costs and at least 80 % of dedicated resources on implementing LDS (individual, inter-national and/or TNC) Maximum aid rate for the implementation of TNC is up to 85 percent of the eligible costs. Minimum aid amount granted is EUR 2,000 and maximum amount EUR 50,000. How we implement the Leader measure 421 FINANCIAL PROVISION 2

13. 13 The Leader Office on the Ministry makes the administrative control: Is the project coherent with the goals set up in the LDS? Is there a clear joint action? Does the application clearly shows the tasks and responsibilities divided between partners? Is the cooperation agreement signed by all cooperation partners? Is the cooperation project approved by managing authorities of all cooperating LAGs? How we implement the Leader measure 421 APPROVAL PROCEDURE 1

14. 14 How we implement the Leader measure 421 APPROVAL PROCEDURE 2 When cooperation project proposal: a) meets all administrative control demands and b) is approved by managing authorities of all cooperating LAGs than the project is approved by slovenian Ministry with the decision. The project can be implemented and the first claim can be submitted for payment. The last claim can be submitted not later than two years after approval of the project (N+2 rule).

15. 15 This is how we implement the Leader measure 421 GOOD LUCK Leader Office is there to help! Contact: leader.mko@gov.si mreza-podezelje.mko@gov.si matej.stepec@gov.si THANK YOU! HVALA!