Other LEADER news

National CAP Networks (NNs) from four Member States in the Baltic Sea area joined forces for an online workshop designed to facilitate transnational cooperation projects. Estonia hosted the webinar that was organised with other NNs from Poland, Finland, and Latvia. Their collective goal for the event was to increase awareness about the potential of networking and cooperation as tools for achieving rural innovation and entrepreneurship. Workshop sessions gave the participants a chance to meet new peers and counterparts in order to identify opportunities for cooperation projects funded by the CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs). The workshop was part of an interesting NN series of ‘Network to Innovate’ events.

Another recent web meeting of relevance for our LEADER readers relates to the Rural Funding toolkit that has been developed as a support mechanism for the Long-term vision for rural areas. This webinar, organised by the European Rural Community Alliance, provided its attendees with possibilities to network with European Commission experts involved with the development of the funding toolkit. Discussion was also able to consider the Rural Pact’s role in helping Member State bodies (including NNs and other LEADER stakeholders) to benefit from the Rural Pact’s support services.

Happening soon will be the European LEADER Congress which gathers Local Action Groups (LAGs) and other LEADER stakeholders from across Europe on 18-19 December in Brussels. LEADER topics under analysis at the ELARD Congress are set to include, among others, equality, performance indicators, food systems, bio-economy, multi-funding, migration, digitalisation and LEADER outside the EU. A competition session promoting LEADER added value awards will involve short pitches from best practice specialists. Please come and visit the EU CAP Network stand!