Networking is a core part of LEADER – and this space helps you connect and exchange with other LEADER practitioners around the EU.
At the EU CAP Network, we are developing a range of tools that help LEADER stakeholders (at the local, regional and national level) to get to know each other, exchange, collaborate and evaluate their LEADER performance.
LAG Directory
The LAG Directory gathers together in one place information about the approximately 3 000 LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) that are operational in each Member State in this programming period (2023-27).
In this first phase, the LAG Directory provides basic data, including contact information of the LAGs which will allow them and other LEADER stakeholders to get in touch with LAGs across the EU. It also provides information on the priority themes that each LAG will be working on. Currently it is possible to search the LAG Directory by Member State and by LAG priority theme.
Subsequent stages of EU CAP Network LAG Directory development will provide more detailed information about the Local Development Strategies and transnational cooperation interests of the LAGs.
As LAGs have only recently been selected in many EU countries, the LAG Directory will continue to add information from Member States as it becomes available.
If you are interested in LAG information during the 2014-22 period, you can access the LAG Database in the (archived) European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) website.
CLLD Partner search
The CLLD Partner search tool will allow LAGs to find partners for transnational cooperation projects by sharing their ideas and needs through ‘cooperation offers’. This tool is currently under development.
We recognise that transnational cooperation is a key element of LEADER and so have provided a temporary way of searching for partners until the tool is launched on the website.
We invite you to send your 'cooperation offers’ by writing an email to leader@eucapnetwork.eu.
Please make sure you
- give the name of the LAG looking for a partner
- describe the type of partner you would like to cooperate with
- explain the main theme of the cooperation you are seeking and give a brief description of the cooperation project idea
- include countries from which you are searching for cooperation partners
- specify the cooperation offer’s expiry date
These cooperation offers will be shared with the National Networks in the EU Member States. If you are interested in cooperation offers published during the 2014-22 period, you can access the CLLD Partner Search tool in the (archived) European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) website.
If you have any questions relating to the LAG Directory or to the CLLD Partner Search tool, please write to us at leader@eucapnetwork.eu.
LEADER Toolkit
The LEADER Toolkit to be created by the EU CAP Network will contain useful information for all LEADER stakeholders, from the local level to the CAP Managing Authorities. It will build upon the LEADER toolkit which was created by the ENRD and is available on the ENRD website (now archived).
It is expected that the EU CAP Network LEADER Toolkit will include information on topics such as Implementing LAGs and Local Strategies, Working on the LEADER delivery system, Improving communication across the CLLD delivery chain and non-binding Guidance on the design and implementation of LEADER Local Development Strategies. It may also be useful for actors implementing CLLD in other EU Funds. More information on the EU CAP Network LEADER Toolkit will follow soon.
Guidance on the evaluation of LEADER added value
The evaluation of LEADER added value is one of the topics to be considered in the evaluation of CAP Strategic Plans, according to Article 2 (d) of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1475. To support the Member States in planning, managing and conducting the evaluation of LEADER at the CAP Strategic Plan and local levels, the EU CAP Network is currently developing Guidelines for the evaluation of LEADER added value.
This non-binding guidance offers options for evaluating LEADER added value, through a list of factors of success and indicators. Member States can choose from this list or adapt it to their specific context and evaluation needs. This guidance will be made available shortly.