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

On December 7, 2017, a workshop on the topic “LEADER approach as an instrument of rural development at the local level” was held in Ljig. The workshop was attended by representatives of the public, civil and business sectors.

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.

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 observed that the majority of participants were not familiar with the LEADER approach. It is stated that this model, which promotes cooperation and development based on the needs of the inhabitants, can significantly contribute to the prevention of negative trends in rural areas.

Also, 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.