Abstract
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The Future of the CLLD / LEADER Method and the Interrelations of Local Government Development Opportunities
The basis for the successes of the past lies in the key values of LEADER, the key to success in the future. It is desirable to emphasize these values, distinctive features and to mediate towards decision-makers in order to incorporate them well into Community legislation.
The main values and distinctive features of the LEADER development method
- Network character, network operation
Networking is a kind of co-operation at local, regional and national level, which can deliver a true territorial program, in addition to the much wider involvement of stakeholders, in point-and-field rather than isolated developments. The LEADER method is the only one whose organizational structure is based on place-based approach. The advantages and values of this should not be listed here, as they are well-known.
- Complex approach
A sector-based, fragmented development policy is unable to respond to local-territorial development needs that require complex interventions, simultaneously involving several sectors simultaneously. The vast majority of development needs require complex intervention and most notably LEADER / CLLD (LEADER) programme would be able to implement it.
One of the biggest obstacles to the complex approach is a fund based community development policy. The justification of the separate funds (ERDF, ESF, EAFRD) has already been exceeded, or at least many arguments can be drawn up for a single Community fund based development than against it. (To list pros and cons, arguments, options for the differentiation of regulation is not possible here and now.)
- Opportunity to mitigate territorial differences
Sectoral operational programmes - at least in Hungary - have already proved that they are unable to contribute substantially to mitigating territorial differences. Only the local-territorial, bottom-up (i.e. complex, approach-based) development approach can help the most disadvantaged areas. This can be proved by the examination of the regional processes at regional level. At present, the territorial basis for Community-level evaluation is the regional level, which can be proven unsuitable for presenting real territorial processes.
- Collaboration between actors from different spheres
It is a traditional value and a distinctive feature to link the interests of public, civil and business spheres, and to show possible synergies. No sectoral program is able to do so.
- It does not separate but connects
This particularity can play a major role in shaping the relationship between urban and rural areas, and strengthening relationships. The (corporate) structure of the LEADER organizational structure can greatly facilitate improving urban-rural relations and increasing the equal opportunities of access to public services when this method is used more widely.
- Ensuring a continuous presence
The LEADER method is the only one of which organizational structure is based on place-based approach. The advantages and values of this should not be listed here, as they are well-known. One of the greatest values of the LEADER development method is what cannot be included in any regulation. This value is the approach that is not an official administration of an office apparatus, nor is it limited to the professional representation of a particular sector.
If, through well-founded reasons, it is possible to use this development method more widely, it can contribute to a more efficient use of Community resources, to better achieve Community and national objectives.
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