LEADER experience in Hungary

László Simon

Building up support for rural development,Conference in Radom, Poland, 25-26 May 2007

LEADER in Hungary: since 2004-2005 2005: preparation of those interested

national and regional preparation sessions of 1 or 2 days each

2005-2006: selection of LAGs in 2 steps 186 applicant LAGs 108 LAGs

successful 1st round 70 selected

LAGs

LEADER+ in Hungary

Leading organisation

Working organisation

(Gestor)

Local Assessment and

Monitoring Committees

70 selected LAGs

Territorial data

The 70 selected LAGs consist of 960 settlements (31% of the settlements in the country)

The population of these settlements is 1,601,733 persons(16% of the population of the country)

The average population size per selected LAG is 22,882 persons

On average, 13.7 settlements belong to one LAG

LEADER+ in Hungary

2006-2008: implementation local tendering: about 3600 local project ideas

submitted to LAGs project selection by local assessment and

monitoring committees final decisions just being taken by Managing

Authority projects realized and payments finished until

1 September 2008

Experience on LAG level It takes time to make the LEADER method accepted on

local level (involvement of civils and entrepreneurs)

A ‘hardcore’ is needed at local level LAG area differs from statistical micro-regions –

problems might emerge LAGs need legal entity Growing value of civil organizations and entrepreneurs Functioning communities Hard to spread the idea of cooperation even on local

level Conflict on local level: the responsibility of decision-

making

Experience on national level LEADER needs different rules Real LEADER projects need time to prepare Post-payment may cause trouble for rural actors General financial supporting rate is too low for entrepreneurs Borders between LEADER and micro-regions should be clear More emphasis on civil actors and entrepreneurs Passively acting local governments should not hinder local

and citizens to take part in LEADER Cooperation projects should be supported from different

source LAGs financial support should be different NNU should take part in mediation between the Managing

Authority and the LAGs

Main experience

LEADER NEEDS TIME

LEADER 2007-2013

Changes in Hungarian LEADER Programme LAGs become legal entities (associations?) Expected LAG number: about 70

LAGs are expected to grow (area covered by LAGs: 31% to 50% of Hungary)

Higher grant (up to 10 times more) Existing LAGs may remain, grow, transform New LAGs also welcome and prepared Separate support for cooperation

LEADER start in 2008

Project example (1)

Preserving cultural heritage

Project example (2)

Binding cultural heritage with tourism

Project example (3)Binding bio local products

with renewable energy

Thank you for your attention

Hungarian LEADER Centre (National Network Unit)Magyarországi LEADER Központ

Szent István tér 11/B. 1051 Budapest, HungaryPhone: 0036 1302 1824

leader@leader.co.hu • www.leaderkozpont.hu