June 14, 2016
The workshop “Enhancing LEADER/CLLD cooperation” was organized by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) and brought together representatives from AAGGs, NRNs, Local Action Groups (LAGs), the European Partnership for Rural Development (ELARD), as well as the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) and the Commission (COM).
The purpose of the event was to share the actions that both National Rural Networks (NRNs) and Managing Authorities (AAGG) are already undertaking to promote interterritorial (ITC) and transnational (TNC) LEADER cooperation, and to work together on the application of coordination methodologies to promote ITC and TNC projects.

The workshop featured a series of introductory presentations by representatives from GAL, AAGG, ENRD, and the European Network of Fisheries Local Action Groups, which served to contextualize the current state of cooperation during the 2014-2020 period.

During the afternoon, various working groups were organized to analyze key aspects of cooperation and propose actions and methodologies to promote it. To open these groups, several AAGGs and NRNs presented their work in this area, including the Spanish NRN. The most discussed point was the need to improve coordination and complementarity between Rural Development Programs (RDPs) by harmonizing processes, regulations, and tools, as well as providing LAGs with enhanced capabilities to support and implement cooperation activities. In this regard, the LEADER cooperation working group coordinated by the NRN at the national level was well received.

The event concluded with the agreement to form a LEADER Cooperation working group, coordinated by the ENRD. This working group, whose tasks are yet to be defined, could aim to achieve a voluntary agreement on common guidelines to facilitate cooperation between groups from different regions and Member States, in line with the LEADER cooperation working group at the national level.

For more information about this workshop, as well as to view the presentations, please visit the REDR website:

https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/en/en-rd-events-and-meetings/LEADER-Cooperation-workshop_20160614