Regulatory Framework
Within the framework of the Galicia RDP 2014-2020, Agader will process the LEADER measure 19, also supported by Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013, which establishes common provisions relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and which establishes general provisions relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and repeals Council Regulation (EC) No. 1083/2006, regulates in Title III, Chapter II the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD). This action gives continuity to previous Leader programs such as the experimental initiative (Leader I), through the Leader II and Leader Plus programs, until it was consolidated in the 2007-2013 period as axis 4 of the Galicia RDP.
The LEADER Approach
The LEADER approach pursues an application of rural development based primarily on the participation of the territory’s own population, integrating all the economic and human resources and actors that exist in the area of action.
The essential element of the LEADER methodology is that it involves “Bottom-up processes,” meaning that the specific rural development strategies or programs are defined at the local level of the territory, and decisions on the specific lines of application of the aid and even the projects that are financed are made in that same area by participants from public and private agents (mostly private as required by the program).
To ensure this participation of rural society, Local Action Groups (LAGs) were established, non-profit entities with public and private partners that select the projects that allow them to carry out their development strategy.
These LAGs therefore involve a multisectoral approach, both in the economic dimension, not only in the primary sector, but also in other social dimensions; public facilities, services and resources, defense of heritage and environmental values, social relations, networking, etc.
Taking into account the specific characteristics of the Galician rural territory and the aforementioned objective of contributing to the European 2020 strategy by achieving balanced territorial development, including job creation and preservation, the Leader approach for the 2014-2020 period in Galicia will be oriented towards the priority achievement of the following objectives:
- Improve conditions to create and maintain employment in rural areas.
- Improve and implement services for the population in rural areas, favoring the improvement of the standard of living of the rural population, social inclusion and poverty reduction.
- Promote sustainable occupation of the territory, paying special attention to the most disadvantaged groups, such as women, young people, people with disabilities, the elderly, etc.
- Guarantee the sustainability of activity in rural areas, through proper care and use of natural resources.
- Enhance local governance and social animation of the territory.
- Contribute to raising awareness and promoting the need to transition to a low-carbon economy capable of adapting to climate change, encouraging the use of renewable energies and improving energy efficiency.
In order to extend the application of the LEADER methodology as much as possible, the eligible territory will be all rural Galicia, with the exception of singular population entities that exceed 6,000 inhabitants in the Atlantic provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra (along with the municipalities of A Coruña and Vigo). In the provinces of Lugo and Ourense, in line with the objectives of the Impulsa Lugo and Impulsa Ourense Plans of the Xunta de Galicia, positive discrimination is intended in favor of these more rural provinces, taking into account the deficit of productive fabric and services in relation to the Atlantic provinces. That is why in the aforementioned provinces of Lugo and Ourense, only singular population entities that exceed 10,000 inhabitants will be excluded as eligible territory.
LEADER MEASURE PROJECTS 2017-2020
Calls for the LEADER Program 2021-2022 and 2023-2024
For the calls corresponding to the periods 2021-2022 and 2023-2024, interested parties can access detailed information on the requirements, deadlines, and necessary documentation to submit their projects.
Access the calls for more details on how to benefit from these aids, as well as the conditions and application procedures: