2021 annual evaluation report on LEADER

The annual evaluation report provides a summary of its results delivered in the years 2016-2020 and addresses the analysis and evaluation of the LEADER approach and the implementation of the LAG's Local Development Plans. The aim was to verify to what extent the LAGs’ local activities and projects create LEADER added value.

The report also explores the partnerships and potential territorial spillovers of the integrated area approach supported by the Lombardia Region’s 2014-2020 Rural Development Plan (RDP).

Finally, the report focuses on assessing the RDP's contribution to the National Internal Areas Strategy (NIAS). In particular, it assesses the potential effects of the RDP's different types of intervention (e.g. LEADER, integrated area approach and other RDP measures) in relation to the NIAS objectives, highlighting the effects on the territory's development.

For the evaluation of LEADER, primary and secondary data sources were used. Other sources were also consulted, including examining the implemented projects, effects determined by the projects on priorities, and needs of interventions and the governance system implemented by LAGs. The analysis of the implementation of the local development plans, updated on 31/12/2021, relied on RDP monitoring data provided by the region. In order to investigate the potential effects of LEADER projects and LAGs to develop territories, interviews were conducted with regional representatives, directors of two LAGs and coordinators of the LAGs of the Lombardia Region.

The assessment of integrated area projects' potential contribution to rural development is based on the analysis of secondary data (not derived from direct surveys) such as calls, data from the regional monitoring system, project documentation and monitoring reports.

The assessment of the RDP's contribution to the NAIS is based on information from the Internal Areas' Framework Programme Agreements, NIAS' annual reports and data related to the Internal Areas' RDP interventions from the regional monitoring system.

The annual report contains conclusions related to the three aspects assessed. Concerning LEADER, the evaluation concludes that the contribution of the partnerships to the LAG’s activities is active and continuous, albeit less intense in the implementation and dissemination phases. LAGs also play the role of liaison, facilitating the collaboration between local and supra-local authorities/governments/actors. The activation of sharing paths facilitated by LAGs led to the creation of steering committees and the signing of agreements to improve governance. However, LAGs remain recognisable, especially in the local context, and are important agricultural partners. Moreover, the LAG's coordination structure allows it to address critical issues related to the implementation of local development plans, facilitating also the comparison with the regional level. However, the different levels of appreciation by LAG directors highlighted a need for improvement.

Projects financed by LAGs through selection criteria and cooperation projects facilitate the creation of collaborative relationships and networks. In addition, the activities carried out by LAGs favour the collaboration of local entities and their participation in non-LEADER projects. Finally, animation activities and investments or projects financed by local development plans allow for better responses to the needs of the territory than projects financed by the RDP. The adaptation of the selection criteria is not always adequate to finalise the interventions.

Concerning integrated area projects, the evaluation concludes that the RDP supported the implementation of 11 integrated projects able to address all RDP priorities for an expenditure of approximately EUR 25 million and EUR 12 million euro of public contribution. At the end of 2021, the projects were almost completed (the timing of implementation was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic). The selection criteria favoured the establishment of heterogeneous partnerships in terms of the types of entities participating in the project's partnership agreement. Finally, the evaluation concludes that the added value of integrated areas projects relies on the synergy created among the different operations of the RDP, whose effect is concentrated not on a single company but on an entire territory.

With reference to internal areas, the evaluation concludes that the RDP supported the NIAS by means of 17 specific operations through which 259 applications were financed, with 2.8% of RDP applications accounting for a total of EUR 22.4 million and 3.3 % of the public resources granted by the RDP. The RDP intervenes in the internal areas thanks to the contribution of regional LAGs, two of which operate in three of the four internal areas and financed 23% of the applications with 10% of the contributions granted by the RDP.