The Potential of Lags' Post 2013

Maura Walsh IRD Duhallow, Ireland13th May, 2010

Key dates in the development of the Rural Development Policy

1988: Reform of Structural Funds & “The Future of Rural Society”

1991: Launch of LEADER l Initiative: – First experience of the approach in 217 areas– Pilot a success & EC includes in CAP Reform– LAG structure established

1994: LEADER ll, extended to 1,000 rural areas– All of Ireland covered with 36 LAGs– Innovation – getting LAGs to try new things

1996: Cork Declaration “A Living Countryside” established the rights of rural populations

Key dates in the development of Rural Development Policy

2001: Launch of LEADER+– A themed approach to development

2001: Gothenburg Declaration – Sustainable Development – Lisbon – Economic Competitiveness

2004:Commission proposal on rural development policy 2007-2013– 7% of budget recommended 4% accepted

2007: LEADER becomes part of mainstream CAP policy

IRD Duhallow

simply as a LEADER Administration

A Local Rural Development Agency operating across a wide range of Programmes and Initiatives to meet the needs of the community and region. Decision taken in 1992 – and developed since then

OR

FASLEADER 4.5 LCDP 5.5 CSP 4

IRD Duhallow Staff Structure 2010

Paddy O’ConnorFAS CE Supervisor

Maura WalshManager

Tim RingSupervisor

Rural Soc. Scheme

Eileen LinehanTeam Leader

Community DevelopmentMonitoring & Project Admin

Yvonne BrosnanRural Transport

Co-ordinator

Ita HickeySupervisor

Rural Soc. Scheme

Tourism OfficerTo be filled

RSS 3.3

Orlaith Tomkins Food Centre

Co-ordinator

Sheila O’Keeffe Supervisor

Rural Soc. Scheme

Helen O’ SullivanCommunity

Development

Catherine CrowleyTeam Leader

Enterprise & Employment

Updated April ‘10

DormantAccounts

Margaret O’ConnorFinance & Administration

Team Leader

Martina O SullivanFinance Officer

Derval CorbettClerical Officer

Mary McHugh Equality

Emplmt & Trng

Warmer Homes/SEI

Kasia MellerFinance Officer

Marie FlemingClerical Officer

T0 NCIP

Colm CrowleyWarmer HomesCo-ordinator

6

Triona Murphy, Community &

Carers

Katie CrowleySmall-holders & Diversification

Eilish Doherty & Noreen CourtneyFinance Officers

Ann McMahon

Out of Schools

High Elderly Population is it a Liability or Asset

Rural Transport Service 59,154 passengers last year-

Employs 5;contracts 60 drivers Rural Meal Service22,097 delivered last year

Employs 17 Energy ConservationInsulated 400 homes – 10 jobs Care & Repair10 volunteers – 111 repairs Friendly Phone Call New initiative employs 2 part-time

Human

CulturalEconomic

Environmental

Eco Tourism

HeritageManagement

EnvironmentAwareness

IRD Duhallow LEADER 2007IRD Duhallow LEADER 2007--20132013 Strategic OverviewStrategic Overview

Natural and

Cultural Resources

Education &Training

A Living Country Side

• Environment Awareness•Village Enhancement• Develop Iconic Walks• Develop Angling Centre• Heritage Management• Preservation & Restoration • Enhance Built Heritage• Sustainable Land Use•Protect Habitats & Ecosystem

New ServiceEnterprises

NewSustainable

Jobs

Diversification

New Food Products

EnhanceSocial Capital

• Increase participation of Youth & Women & over 60’s• Develop Community Facilities• Fund Community Enterprise• Improve Local Services• Training, Management & IT• Staff & Board Training • Animate & Capacity Build• Support Networks• Establish Trans-national links

Improve Quality of Life

DevelopFacilities

Traditional

Village Renewal

Technology

The Arts

Sustainable Growth

•Enterprise Infrastructure•Technical Support• Capital Investment• Recruitment Assistance• Product Development• New Food Businesses• Mentoring• Networking• Pluri-activity•Farmers Markets

Sustainable

Rural Development

Identity

•Expand Cultural Centres•Develop Craft Enterprises•Celtic Spirituality Centre•S’Luachra Summer School•Schools Creativity Programme•Fund Cultural Publications•Marketing & Promotion•Community Arts Prog•Public Art -Women & Heritage

Foster Creativity

Social Enterprise

Background ELARD

International non-profit organisation, founded in 1999 by five National LEADER Networks - French LEADER Network; Greek LEADER Network; Irish LEADER Network; Italian LEADER Network; Spanish LEADER Network;

ELARD now represents 800 Local Action Groups throughout; France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, North Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Lativa, Hungary;

ELARD Promotes The LEADER Approach

The most important goal of ELARD “campaign to spread the philosophy, principles and scope of the LEADER

method grounded in its seven specific features in order to achieve

sustainable rural development across Europe”

LEADER method recognised all over Europe

LEADER = local people as the main asset of rural areas

Success of LEADER projects; responsibility placed on local people from local areas & their ability to discover the best for their environment, culture, working traditions & skills

“Over 56% of the population in the 27 member states of EU living in rural areas which cover 91% of the territory”

Networking & Transnational

As a means of fast tracking learning As a means of mutual support To identify good/best practice To identify further innovations To share as well as to learn To achieve economies of scale To access new programmes To develop the best response for your area

What's happening at EC LevelEN RD Thematic Working Groups

Commission has established 4 EN RD TWGs

Focus on specific Rural Development Programme Thematic Priorities

In-depth analysis of EU Rural Development Policy Implementation

Contribute to the understanding, diffusion & improvement of policy implementation

Thematic Working groups TWG 1; Targeting rural specificities & needs

TWG 2; Linkages between agriculture & the wider rural economy

TWG 3; Public goods & public intervention

TWG 4; Delivery mechanisms of EU Rural Development Policy

ELARD has representation on all four groups

What of the Future…. CAP Reform -negotiations are extremely

important and ongoing at present LAG’s & Networks should develop a

response to Commissioner Jean-Luc Demarty’s call for submissions

LEADER & LAG type structures to feature post 2013

Budgets should be increased - counter lobby from farmers in run up to 2013

Rural areas being re-defined – Which towns are not “Rural”

What of the future…..Vision expressed by José Manuel Sousa Uva

DG Agri:- a LAG operating in a defined territory will examine assets & weaknesses of that area & devise an integrated strategy

It will draw not just from LEADER but perhaps from LIFE Prog for Environment DG Regio, DG Social Affairs, DG Fisheries & also Member State initiatives to implement that strategy

What of the Future….. Integration & Complimentarity will be a

major part of 2014-2020 strategies Delivery mechanisms - LAG with majority

of members from civil society All Rural areas should have LAGs Gender Equality Theme of the Caceres

Declaration 2010 (Spain) Without Women & Young people Rural

Europe has no future

What LAGs Need To Do To prepare for post 2013

Do the best job possible on the current programme – Everyone likes a success

Have it evaluated independently Develop your LAG Structures, Processes

& Procedures – Board, Sub-committees & Staff

Look at your area strategically from all aspects – Social, Cultural, Economic & Environmental

Gender Equality & Youth Should feature

What LAGs need to do to prepare for post 2013

Start collecting data on your area well before 2014 – if its not available centrally collect it yourself !!

Use “asset based approach” Identify the many funding streams &

the possible collaboration between them at LAG level.

Work on the basis of co-operation rather than demarcation

Stay in touch with the Networks