PHASE 1. SET-UP OF THE LOCAL ACTION GROUP Insights from the case-study
Suggested actions
Self-assessment questions MAIN ACTORS
The idea of establishing the LAG came from a group of persons with the necessary credibility, competences and public support at the local level, as they were already active in the area with the “Orso Verde” consortium.
Right since the very beginning, thanks to the initiative of the LAG's promoters, various types of players with strong links to the area were involved: farmers and agricultural cooperatives, agronomists and local public administrations. The LAG enabled the creation of a public-private partnership in which the private sector plays a leading role. Criteria were established for new local actors to become members of the Local Action Group. In each programming period, the members of the LAG confirm their participation and possible enlargements are envisaged.
Identify a group of public and private actors with the necessary credibility, competences and wide public support at the local level, that is able to motivate and mobilise the local community.
Involve all possible interest groups right since the set-up of the Local Action Group, starting from representatives of public and private socioeconomic interests at local level.
Which types of actors (institutional, social, private) can be involved in creating the local action group? Which are the potential partners in the area?
Will the Local Action Group be a predominantly public or private initiative?
Is there a common vision among key political and economic actors at local level to actively engage in fostering a sustainable structural change of the local society?
What skills do the Local Action Group need to achieve the desired results?
Identify clear rules for management within the public-private initiative: establish membership criteria, decision making bodies and their professional staff team.
MAIN RESOURCES The promoters were convinced of the LEADER programme and the development opportunities it could bring to the target rural area. Technical experts gave them assistance to understand the functioning of the programme and its funding. The promoters made a strong direct contribution in the form of human resources and technical and management skills, gradually identifying the resources and skills needed to manage LEADER funds. Numerous local actors, both public and private, demonstrated from the outset their willingness to be involved in the process of setting up the LAG.
Establish a clear internal organization identifying the economic and administrative skills required to administrate funds.
Have a professional and committed technical team of experts and ensure continuous training and capacity-building.
Do the actors involved already have the necessary specific technical competences and expertise?
Are the actors willing to participate actively and cooperate?
Identify financing sources at different levels for setup and initial activities.
Leverage on local social capital as a resource to commit private and public local actors to actively participate and cooperate.
What kind of local, regional, national or international initiatives could financially and technically support this type of initiative?
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