Novi Sad - LEADER approach as an instrument of rural development at the local level

On November 27, 2017, in Novi Sad a workshop on the topic “LEADER approach as an instrument of rural development at the local level” was held. The workshop was organized within the framework of the project "ALTER - Active Local Territories for Economic Development of Rural Areas" funded by the European Union, as part of the activities "Promotion and support to the implementation of the LEADER approach". The project is implemented at the national level by the Network for rural development of Serbia.

The workshop was attended by representatives of the public, civil and business sectors. Participants had the opportunity to gain knowledge of the LEADER approach as a tool for rural development at the local level. The workshop presented the history of LEADER approache in the EU, the principles of LEADER, public private partnership - LAG, local rural development strategy, as well as experiences and problems in implementing the LEADER approach. Participants were presented the status of LEADER approach in the Republic of Serbia (LIS project, institutional framework of the Ministry of Agriculture for implementation of LEADER approach (rulebook), support to LAG initiatives by Provincial Secretariat for Agriculture…). Also, attendees were introduced with CLLD as a model used by some EU Member States to improve the effects and better use of EU funds in rural development.

During the discussion, it was concluded that the LEADER approach is a good model for the development of rural communities, that it should be promoted as much as possible to all stakeholders and that it should be implemented as soon as possible by establishing a clear legal framework by the competent institutions (Ministry of Agriculture and Payment agency).

After that, there was presented the Grant Program for Civil Society capacity building and advocacy, which is being implemented through the ALTER project. The rules and deadlines for applying for CSOs that can exclusively participate in this call are presented. The attendees were invited to provide information on the Grant Program to the CSOs that are not present at this meeting by providing them link from the ALTER project website containing all the information on the terms of participation.