LOCAL ACTION GROUPS IN LITHUANIA THE OVERVIEW OF

LOCAL ACTION GROUPS IN LITHUANIA THE OVERVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEADER METHOD 2009 April 18

DINAMIC OF LAGs AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN LITHUANIA

The members of Local Action Groups 2008 -10 -30

The results of the implementation of Leader method in 2004 -2006

LEADER+ POBŪDŽIO PRIEMONĖS ĮGYVENDINIMO REZULTATAI 2004– 2006 M. (1) • Budget 2, 7 mill EUR (EU support +LT share): o Acquisition of Skills– 45, 7 % o Pilot Integrated Strategies – 54, 3 %. • Average of LAG’s population – 50. 000. • Support for LAGs: o 41 training projects funded; o 29 LAG supported for development of pilot strategies (up to 3 475 EUR); o 10 LAG pilot strategies (out of 27 submitted) supported (147. 000 EUR per LAG) o 29 LAGs supported for development of local development strategies for 2007– 2013 (20. 000 EUR per LAG)

SUPPORTED PILOT INTEGRATED STRATEGIES (2) Šiaurės vakarų Lietuvos VVG Pajūrio iniciatyvos VVG Joniškio partnerystės VVG Kelmės krašto partnerystės VVG Aukštaitijos bendruomenių asociacijos VVG Ukmergės VVG Nemunas - Quality of life in rural areas - The most efficient use of natural recourses - Increase of added value of local products Dzūkijos VVG Šalčininkų VVG Švenčionių partnerystės VVG Selected LAGs represent 35 % of rural territories of Lithuania.

THE RESULTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEADER METHOD IN 2004– 2006 (3) Implementing pilot strategies 401 local projects were supported The most common topics of local projects were:

The establishment of the material base of rural communities (community centers, the establishment and adjustment of technical bases)

The establishment of the material base of rural communities (community centers, the establishment and adjustment of technical bases)

The establishment of the material base of rural communities (community centers, the establishment and adjustment of technical bases)

The establishment of the material base of rural communities (community centers, the establishment and adjustment of technical bases)

The development of rural communities, especially women (enterprise, the motivation of alternative activities in rural areas, the courses of computer literacy, booklets)

The saving of cultural heritage, the encouragement of folk artists’ iniciatives. The marketing of gastronomic, etnocultural heritage, ecological products, traditional and nontraditional rural trades

The saving of cultural heritage, the encouragement of folk artists’ iniciatives. The marketing of gastronomic, etnocultural heritage, ecological products, traditional and nontraditional rural trades

The encouragement of rural youth to stay in their villages and the promotion if their initiatives

The encouragement of rural youth to stay in their villages and the promotion if their initiatives

The education of sociality, the spread of good experiences, the educational activities on environment. The encouragement of understanding about nature and culture heritage among rural citizens

The improvement of living conditions and free time activities, the creation of attractive environment in rural places (cleaning, creation of recreational zones, renewal)

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEADER METHOD IN LITHUANIA IN 2007– 2013

LEADER MEATHOD IN LITHUANIA (2007– 2013) (1) • Mainstreamed initiative (over all country) • LAG structure – the same as in 2004 -2006 • Population or LAG – from 5 to 150 thousands • 46 LAGs registered (expected – 50 LAGs) • Budget 136. 99 mill EUR (6, 06 % of the EAFRD): o allocation per LAG 1, 3 - 4, 6 mln EUR o 20% for administrational costs 20

LEADER MEATHOD IN LITHUANIA (2007– 2013) (2) • Measures implemented through LEADER: • Implementation of Local Development Strategies (covering of all measures of Axis 3; up to 73% of funds should be allocated for ‘Village renewal and development‘ measure); • Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation; • Support for running the LAGs, acquiring skills and animating the inhabitants of LAGs territory. 21

ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR LEADER MEATHOD

• Recently 35 Local Action Groups have developed the Local Development Strategies according to Leader method and proposed them for assessment to National Paying Agency • 32 Local Development Strategies got more than 70 points. • Contracts for the support were signed with 15 Local Action Groups • More than 42 mln. EUR were given.

THE COORDINATION OF LEADER METHOD IN LITHUANIA (1) On 19 August 2008 the “Leader method implementing” coordinating group was acknowledged

THE COORDINATION OF LEADER METHOD IMPLEMENTATION (2) The members of coordination group: v 16 LAGs members; v 2 social – economic partners; v 1 representative of National Paying agency; v 1 representative of LEADER centre; v 4 representatives of The Ministry of Agriculture; v Other experts and specialists could be invited if needed. The activities of the coordinating group: v To analyze the projects of legal acts on rural development and administrative questions related to the programme of rural development.

Network of Local Action Groups Informal network of Local Action Groups started its activity in Lithuania in October 2004. The network of Local Action Groups (LAGs) was registered as an association on 28 December 2007. Rasa Birutytė, project administrator of Joniškis district partnership LAG, is the chairwoman of LAGs Network. The Board of the Network, consisting of 10 members, is elected regionally.

The main goals of the Network: (1) 1. represent the interests of its members; 2. encourage closer cooperation of Local Action Groups with state institutions and international organizations; 3. contribute in preparation of legal acts on rural development; 4. collect and systematize information necessary for all the members of the Network;

The main goals of the Network: (2) 5. share the experience in the implementation of Local Development Strategies; 6. represent public relations of the Network members and Lithuanian Local Action Groups at national and international levels, form their positive image; 7. involve people and organizations interested in the movement of LEADER program in Lithuania.

The Board of the Network, consisting of 10 members, is elected regionally.

The meeting of the Board of the Network 2008 -01 -19

The meeting of the Board of the Network 2008 -07 -10

After the Board meeting 2008 -07 -10

The meeting of the Board of the Network 2009 -08 -20

After the Board meeting 2009 -08 -20

CONTACT INFORMATION • • Contact person ( for international activities) - Rasa Birutyte, the Chairwoman of the LAGs Network; E-mail: rasa. birutyte@joniskis. lt; Phone: +370 610 27012; Address: Livonijos str. 4, LT-84124 Joniskis More information about LAGs in Lithuania and their activities, all contact information of all LAGs you can found there: www. leaderprograma. lt

Thank you. . .