The National Rural Network (NRN) has published a new booklet featuring a diverse range of cooperation project examples supported under the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 (extended to 2022).
The aim of LEADER Cooperation is to help local actors improve the potential of their rural areas by working together on joint projects for mutual benefit.
LEADER Cooperation enhances the innovative character of local development by combining knowledge, skills and experience in thematic areas common to the strategies of each participating LAG area. This can take the form of inter-territorial projects (between two or more Local Action Groups (LAGs) within a Member State) or transnational projects (between two or more LAGs from different Member States).
Among the benefits of LEADER Cooperation include:
- Widening local views in order to improve local strategies.
- Accessing information and new ideas.
- Opportunities to learn from other regions or countries.
- Stimulating and supporting innovation.
- Acquiring skills and means to improve project delivery.
Launching the ‘LEADER Programme 2014-2020 (Extended to 2022) Cooperation Project Examples’ booklet, Daniel Bennett, from the NRN team at Irish Rural Link, said, “The NRN is delighted to showcase and promote a small sample of the array of cooperation projects supported under the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 (extended to 2022). The projects featured in this new booklet are diverse in nature, but each share an underlying sense of collaboration, and an inspiring willingness from those involved to develop and share solutions to common local issues in rural areas.”
The new publication showcases 4 LEADER Cooperation project examples, which incorporate local actors across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the EU.
- The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) Ulster Ireland is a 449-kilometre coast-to-coast cross-border walking trail. Beginning at Slieve League in Co. Donegal, the trail traverses four counties and six LAG areas, before finishing at the port of Larne in Co. Antrim.
- Through the development of an enterprise craft-training programme and creative skills exchange, the Innocrafts Irish Finnish Craft Cooperation provided craftmakers in Offaly, Westmeath and a rural area in Finland with an exciting opportunity to share and develop new skills.
- The Innovating Communities project aims to strengthen resilience, local development and community-led action across Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, by training community groups, businesses and individuals in ‘Design Thinking’ – a creative problem solving process.
- The Women Active in Society programme supported and encouraged female leaders in North, East and West Kerry, and rural Poznan in Poland, to grow and develop their businesses while meeting like-minded entrepreneurs, farmers and producers.
A selection of the NRN’s Multi-Method LEADER Programme Promotion and Dissemination Strategies are exhibited in the closing pages of the booklet.
You can freely view/download the ‘LEADER Programme 2014-2020 (Extended to 2022) Cooperation Project Examples’ publication here.
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