Components

The LEADER initiative encourages the creation of new social organisms based on partnership and cooperation, aiming at active local participation in rural development processes and solving problems at the local level. The term "LEADER" originates from the french phrase "Liaison Entre Actions de Dévelopment de l'Economie Rurale", which means "The link between the rural economy and development actions". It is a method for stimulating and strengthening local development in the rural economy. The main components of the LEADER approach are: - Local Area: a rural area with a population of 5,000 to 150,000, including settlements up to 25,000. - Local Action Group (LAG): is a group composed of representatives of public and private socio-economic interests where, at the decision-making level, neither public authorities (as defined in accordance with national rules), and nor any single interest group would have more than 49% of the right to vote. - Local Development Strategy (LDS): it is the whole range of actions to be developed to meet local needs, which contribute to the implementation of national strategies at the municipal level. The strategy is implemented in partnership at the local level and seeks the full involvement and sustainability of local development.