During the third meeting, convened by the National Rural Network , different points of view were exchanged between the agents involved in the implementation of the LEADER measure in the territories, both Management Authorities and regional and national Networks, generating a debate on the content of the current draft of the starting document of Specific Objective 8 , which will serve to continue feeding said document and the subsequent ones within the Working Group of the objective.

As a starting point, Laura Enfedaque, from the Subdirectorate General for Innovation and Digitalization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, presented the topics addressed in both Specific Objective 8 (SO8) and the Cross-Cutting Objective (TO), such as employment and growth, gender equality, social inclusion, local development, the bioeconomy, and sustainable forestry . Likewise, the summaries prepared by the European Commission in relation to these objectives , "Jobs and growth in rural areas" or "Building AKIS to foster advice, knowledge, and innovation in agriculture and rural areas , " were presented; and the working group's timeline for SO8 between now and the end of January was presented.

On the other hand, in addition to approving the minutes of the second meeting of the Subgroup , held in October 2019, the Subdirectorate General for Rural Environment Dynamization has presented the results of a survey launched to the Managing Authorities , which have included questions such as which aspects of LEADER should be more defined at national level in the new CAP Strategic Plan , key elements for the correct implementation of LEADER in the next period or proposals for improvement in the evaluation of LEADER for the period 2021-2027 .

Finally, a review was made of the points included in the local development section of the current draft of the OE8 starting document , and attendees offered comments and feedback on the topic. Particular interest was shown in regional financing, grant management models, the legal security of the Groups, and the decision to use simplified costs or reference costs .

This third meeting was characterized by broad participation from all attendees, which allowed for a richer debate and a constructive and objective presentation of a shared position on the added value and needs of LEADER . The permanent Subgroup serves as a forum for continuing to work to maintain a vibrant and sustainable rural environment in the medium and long term , promoting the work of the Local Action Groups and the LEADER methodology as key pillars in the next programming period.