Leader Aaland

WHAT IS LEADER/CLLD?• A method funded by European Union since 1991• LEADER is a shortening of the French phrase ’’Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale’’(Links between activities for the development of rural economy)• Bottom-up approach - brings local people together to decide how they want to improve their territory• Partnership between civil, private and public sectors = Local Action Groups (LAGs) or Fisheries Local Action Groups(FLAGs)LOCAL ACTION GROUPS• Define a specific rural LEADER-area• Create partnerships, networks and analyze the local needs(SWOT analyze)• Design a Local development strategy for a seven-year periodStrategyPartner-Areaship(LAG/FLAG)3000LEADERAREASINEUROPEAt least 5 % of theEAFRD in everyRural DevelopmentProgramme must beallocated to Leaderdue to an regulationon EU-levelLEADER IN FINLANDThe Leader method began to be implementedin Finland as early as 1996Today:55Local Action Groups (LAGs)10Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs)LEADER IN ÅLANDEstablished in 2007Two Local Action GroupsLAG + FLAG = two Localdevelopment strategiesSoon completed a secondprogramme periodLEADER IN ÅLAND• NATURE & ENVIRONMENT• RURAL DEVELOPMENTEAFRD – The Rural• KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATIONDevelopment• INTERREGIONAL ANDProgramme of ÅlandTRANSNATIONALCOOPERATION• RESTORATION FOR FISH• ACCESS TO NATURE• KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATIONEMFF – European Maritime and Fisheries FundOperational Programme for Finland 2014–2022 of ÅlandDURING THE PREVIOUS7 YEARSMORE THAN120 PROJECTSHAVE BEEN FUNDEDTHROUGH COMMUNITY-LED LOCALDEVELOPMENTLEADERFISHERIESwww.leader.axLEADER, LAG50 %NATURE & ENVIRONMENT PROJECTSPROJECTSOTHER PROJECTSCONNECTED TONATURE & ...25 %PROJECT25 %INCREASINGBIODIVERSITY& REDUCING50 %NUTRIENTLOSSESOTHERPROJECTSFLAG PROJECTS55 %RESTORATIONPROJECTS19 %FOR FISHKNOWLEDGE26 %PIERS ANDLAUNCHINGRAMPSBIODIVERSITY – A NONPRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT?LEADER GOOD INMOBILIZING PROJECTSWhen the environmental measurecalled “nonproductive investments”under the RDP in 2007-2013 were nottaken up well by the farmingcommunity, it was decided to letLEADER be in charge of promotingwetlands, natural pastures and otherbiodiversity projects across the ÅlandIslands in the next programming period(2014-2020).PROMOTING TRANSITIONTO A GREEN ECONOMYChallenge:- Market an unattractive (?)measure- New type of stakeholders forLeader- Lack of expertiseA VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS& BENEFICIARIES• Farmers• Village, water and community associations• Municipalities• Other organizationsSEDIMENTATION POND– A WIN WIN PROJECTEUTROPHICATIONLOSS & LEAKAGEOF NUTRIENTS(PHOSPHORUS & NITROGEN)IN AGRICULTUREBETTERCULTIVATION ANDHARVEST ANDA CLEANER WATERTHINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX• Slow down a heavy flow in a ditch• Reducing nutrient leakage• Increase biodiversity• Water buffer• Recreation for villagers• Educational activities for childrenPROJECTS INTEGRATED IN SOCIAL MEDIAEU INTERESTED IN LEADER ÅLANDREWARD 2020: THE LEADER PEARL OF FINLANDFARMERS COMBINING NATURE PASTURES WITH HIKING PATHS- BIRD LIFE CONSERVATION- HUMAN PRESENCE- SLOW TOURISMINCREASING AWARENESSAND COMMITMENTRESTORATION PROJECTS FOR FISHBIG ENGAGEMENT IN REMOVING OBSTACLESFOR FISH MOVEMENTS AND CREATINGNURSERY FOR FISH SPAWNGET RID OF THE REED –PHRAGMITES AUSTRALISCONCLUSIONCOMMUNITY LED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT, LEADER, AND THE BOTTOM UP-APPROACH, WITH KNOW-HOW IN INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT ANDCLOSE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMBINED WITH ADVISORY INAPPLICATION, FUNDING AND ACCOUNTING -ACHIEVES WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH UNDERCONVENTIONAL FUNDING SYSTEMSTHANK YOU!Alexandra de Haasinfo@leader.ax+358 457 345 0450www.leader.ax