LEADER can be used to map and improve key functions in regional development. These 5 functions can be summarised as follows:
... Democratic and educational function
... Labour market and social policy function
... Economic policy function
... Environmental and climate policy function
... European policy function
Democratisation: Groups affected by problems develop the solutions to improve their environment and living environment themselves. Involving those affected via the LAGs serves to overcome the barriers to acceptance of innovations and to utilise their experiences - an effective supplement to representative democracy through citizen participation at regional level. This is a professionalisation of civil society.
Identity promotion: Setting and co-designing topics in a LAG is done on a voluntary basis and creates a strong bond between the stakeholders. Voluntarism and trusting relationships are basic principles. This functional identity cannot be tied to administrative boundaries.
Knowledge transfer: In order to overcome global challenges at regional level, it is necessary to activate all knowledge resources. LEADER therefore endeavours above all to involve people who embody regional knowledge: e.g. farmers and craftspeople have valuable experience and practical knowledge that is of particular importance in application-oriented innovation processes. Lifelong learning is another strategic topic.
Job creation and job security: LEADER creates and secures jobs: around 200 people work in LAG management in Austria. In addition, there are around 1,500 employees working on LEADER projects. Across Europe, there are around 7,000 permanent positions in LAG offices. According to evaluation studies, more than 1 million jobs have already been created in the LEADER context throughout the EU. LEADER is therefore a major European enterprise. It also raises awareness of opportunities in apprenticeships and skilled trades.
Social affairs: LEADER promotes and networks activities that aim to improve the compatibility of work and family life, for example. The strengthening of the common good in general as well as the creation of needs-orientated social offers and services and aspects of services of general interest also play an important role.
Representation of underrepresented groups: As a non-partisan forum, a LAG also has the task of actively involving groups of people who do not usually and directly participate in regional decision-making processes. These can be (disadvantaged) young people, older people (in need of care), migrants, newcomers and others.
Promotion of the circular economy: Promoting regional economic cycles is one of the most important LEADER objectives. The recyclability and eco-effectiveness of the raw materials used is the subject of a practice-orientated circular economy as a counter-model to the "throwaway society".
Regional production methods: Regional production in the LEADER context is characterised by (re)establishing contact between producers and consumers as a relationship based on trust. In this way, economic capital is increased through social capital. The economic valorisation of products reflects a trustworthy regional identity.
Promotion of innovation: The promotion of technological innovations as ecological modernisation and social innovations in the sense of "reforms from below" is another main topic. LEADER is regarded as a laboratory for innovation with the objectives of open participation, diversification of the rural economy and the promotion of the innovative strength of SMEs, agricultural businesses and start-ups.
Ecological modernisation: In the agricultural sector in particular, the aim is to modernise using digital methods to increase resource efficiency. The "Smart Villages" initiative also falls into this area, which applies the LEADER method set at local level - taking into account the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Overcoming the climate crisis: A fundamental distinction is made between climate protection measures and adaptation measures. All strategies for dealing with climate change consider municipalities and regions as the implementation level. Actual effectiveness can be seen regionally and locally. For this reason, the Climate and Energy Fund has established model regions for climate-energy and climate change adaptation. LEADER supports these regions and general measures for proactive adaptation of social and natural systems in order to minimise the negative consequences of climate change and use the side effects as opportunities.
Crisis and transformation management: A LAG trains its participants to deal with the unexpected and uncertainty. This promotes self-organisation at a local level and the ability to find solutions quickly and locally in order to respond to global problems. Crises present opportunities for further development.
Network expertise of the regions: LEADER is part of the "Europe of the Regions" concept, which aims at subsidiarity, but with a simultaneous attitude of EU integration and solidarity. LEADER/CLLD regions communicate in an established network of around 3,300 action groups in Europe (ENRD).
European understanding at local level: The aim is to improve the communication of the EU's political and economic objectives. An understanding of pan-European issues should also promote the development of an EU cultural identity at local level. For each region, this means promoting a European and regional identity in equal measure. LEADER conveys an EU that is close to its citizens.
Transnational co-operation: The aim is to restructure rural Europe into a mosaic of territorial development initiatives between which socio-economic relationships are to be established. This is in line with the principle of economic and cultural openness - economic vitality is therefore not only a consequence of local business start-ups, but also of the international contacts of the local population, who train their skills in cultural exchange (e.g. language skills).
made with ❤ by the konceptionists