Beyond funding: how Denmark’s LAGs showcase their role in local development
As all LEADER enthusiasts know, LEADER is much more than ‘just funding’. In Denmark, some LAGs found a simple yet effective way to demonstrate LEADER's true added value.
As all LEADER enthusiasts know, LEADER is much more than ‘just funding’ - it holds huge potential for community empowerment, local innovation and sustainable development. Nevertheless, in some cases, the programme is still viewed solely through the lens of funding, overlooking its wider contributions.
In Denmark, Frode Thule Jensen, manager of the Local Action Group (LAG) Vendsyssel since 2025, recognised the need to change this narrative. His solution? A simple, decentralised online platform to showcase LEADER’s true added value, demonstrating how it catalyses local development far beyond financial support.
“In Denmark, LAGs are often seen mainly as providers of funding,” explains Frode. This perception poses challenges for the future of LAGs, particularly as Denmark has already seen the discontinuation of its Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), and many LAGs now operate with reduced staffing. With the next programming period on the horizon, Frode saw an urgent need to demonstrate what LEADER is about.
We do not just distribute money; we are actively involved in development and support local processes
For Frode, the real added value of LEADER lies in the contribution LAGs provide beyond the mere administrative processing of grant allocation. Unlike funding allocated by a national authority, LAGs actively shape allocations to meet local needs and conditions.
Frode found inspiration in the simplicity of popular digital platforms, i.e., Netflix. “The concept is simple, yet effective,” he notes. He envisioned a platform reminiscent of traditional town hall noticeboards - except digital, clean, and always up to date. The result is an electronic notice board: a minimalist digital space designed for ease of use and accessibility. Visitors to the platform are immediately presented with a rich overview of LEADER’s diverse activities and achievements. The intuitive categorisation and abundance of content mirror the experience of popular digital platforms, offering users a comprehensive snapshot of what LEADER is about at a glance. The platform also serves as an ‘ideas bank’, providing inspiration by looking at what is being done elsewhere.
How it works
- Decentralised and local: the platform is not part of the Managing Authority or any large system. It is hosted independently and updated on a rolling basis by Frode. Updates take a minute a day at most.
- Easy to use: LAGs submit PDFs of materials they have already prepared – such as agendas and minutes of events, project presentations, operation sheets, etc., to Frode via email. Frode assesses relevance but does not edit content. Projects where the LAG’s involvement consists solely of awarding funding are not displayed. Only projects initiated by LAGs themselves are shown.
- Cost-effective: the initial set-up cost was just EUR 1 000, funded by leftover municipal budget from the previous programming period, which will also cover the annual operation (keeping the URL in place) until the end of 2027.
- Dynamic display: new content is prominently displayed, then organised into relevant categories. Outdated or less relevant items are automatically removed, keeping the board fresh.
The board currently hosts about 100 documents, with plans to add videos. The goal is to feature the activities LAGs are engaged in as much as possible, demonstrating LEADER’s role in local development, and ultimately convincing politicians and decision-makers that LEADER is more than funding. Danish LAG boards and the Danish Managing Authority are encouraged to refer to the website whenever they speak to politicians and policymakers.
The initiative can be summed up as follows:
- Simplicity is key: the platform’s success lies in its simplicity. No complex systems, no bureaucracy, just a straightforward way to share what LAGs are already doing. At the moment, success is measured by the number of LAGs contributing to the platform, as no analytics on website usage are available.
- Advocacy through visibility: by making LEADER’s added value visible and accessible, LAGs can advocate better for their role in local and national policy.
- Low-cost but high impact: the minimal cost and effort required make this model replicable for other regions. The biggest effort was the initial set-up.
As Denmark prepares for the next programming period, the electronic notice board stands as a testament to the power of simple, innovative communication. “It’s the right moment to do this,” Frode says. He hopes that more LAGs will contribute, turning the platform into a lively showcase of LEADER’s true impact.
Simple yet powerful, this approach is easily replicable for those looking for ways to showcase the true value of LAGs and LEADER.
