What is Leader?
The Leader approach is implemented by 52 local action groups (LAGs) operating in all of Finland's rural areas as well as Leader Åland.
The Leader approach means activities, advisory services and funding to the benefit of specific regions. The aim is to strengthen and develop local communities and companies and increase the vitality of the area.
The central idea behind the Leader activities is to harness the expertise, knowledge, and activities of local residents for the development of the community. We help to develop the area's livelyhood based on the ideas and needs of the residents.
The core idea of the Leader approach is developing the area together with the locals. This is accomplished by funding local development projects and providing help and support at all stages of project implementation. Local Action Groups activate, motivate, inform, educate, and assist those carrying out the projects. All advisory services are free of charge.
"Leader provides activities, advisory services and funding"
The local action groups (LAGs) operate based on their own local development strategy, which is created in collaboration with the area's residents. The strategy guides the activities of the LAG board, as it makes decisions regarding project funding. The board is elected based on the Tripartite model, where 1/3 of the members represent the local public sector, 1/3 represent local businesses, and the remaining 1/3 represent rural residents.
Locals can get involved in the LAGs' activities by participating in events, carrying out projects, contributing to projects, or becoming members of the LAG. The members of the LAG elect the board during an annual meeting, and any member of the LAG can also be nominated as a member of the LAG board.
The name Leader is originally an abbreviation of the French expression "Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale", meaning "links between rural economy development actions".
Financing
Leader funding can be used for local development projects, as well as for projects supporting the development of local businesses. Depending on the project, the funding can cover 20–100% of the total costs of the project. Contact the LAG in your area for more information about the different types of funding.
Leader funding can be applied for by, for example, local associations, small businesses employing fewer than 10 people, municipalities, educational institutions, and foundations. The projects need to align with the LAG's local development strategy and its goals.
Leader Livery (LAG)
- One of Finland's 53 Leader groups
- Registered association that develops rural areas
- Financed mainly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry –> Strategy based local development
- Funding local rural development projects and supporting local enterprises
- Own development projects: villages, youth, Broadband
- The funding budget is approximately 1 million €/year
Our organization
Registered association that includes 200 members
Board: 12 members, 12 deputies
Youth council: 10 members (age 16 to 25) + one board member
Business council: 8 members
7 employees
Strategy 2023 – 2027
We get public funding of €5.7 million
(EU 43% + state 37% + municipalities 20%)
In addition 35% private money
Total 8.8 M€ for rural development
Co-operation possibilities
Joint project between Leader groups?
•Theme? Learning from each other? Youth work?
• Time tables
•Study visit without a project
Projects between local actors, like associations?
•Theme
Leader Östra Skaraborg (Sweden) is our close partner. Something with them too?
Something else?
Young people taking part & Young people taking part 2.0.
The youth is one of the four main topics in Leader Liiveri's strategy. For the whole area it is essential that all the young people are involved and participate in developing the area. The background area for the two youth projects is that young people should have the possibility to make an impact and their Voices are heard in decision-making.
In the two youth projects – Young people taking part (06/2021 – 08/2023) & Young people taking part 2.0 (09/2023 – 12 / 2024) the main goal is to find and bring new possibilities for the young people to make an impact in the area. This happens for example by bringing the young people and the local decision makers together, spreading information and helping to create and find local, national, and international possibilities for the young people and youth workers. In the project we also search new ways and platforms for the young people to bring up their ideas, finding new ways to activate and communicate with young people, organize events in co-operation with youth services and other organizations in the area.
We also want to help the young people and the youth workers and other youth related Actors to communicate and network better. Youth services in the municipalities, youth boards, Youth Guidance Centers and other youth groups and associations are also involved in the project.
Main activities we have been doing in the project?
- Liiveri started a network for young people and youth workers in Liiveri's area.
- Liiveri is one of the ten groups that started a network for the national Youth Leader workers. In the network we make statements, reports and organize events and give information not only to Leader network but also to other youth related organizations.
- Organizing events for young people and local decision-makers.
- Youth Leader funding was renewed so that Liiveri also funds young entrepreneurs in the area.
- Participating in SaYouth project. Sending young people and youth workers in six European countries that were involved in the project.
- Liiveri's study visit to Skaraborg (Erasmus+ project for youth workers in Liiveri's area). The Finnish National Agency for Education selected the project as one of the "Good practices" projects and serves as an example for excellent projects!
- Youth camp in Liiveri's area for Finnish and Swedish Youth Leader boards (08/2022)
- Visit to Young rural camp in Lysekil, Sweden (05 / 2023) with Swedish rural network and Swedish LAG's.
- Cooperation starting in September 2023 with Youth Guidance Center. Liiveri's youth project worker starts as an expert for Youth projects and Youth Leader fundings in the Ilmajoki Youth Guidance Center.
- Helping the local associations to create youth boards or other youth related actions.
For more information, please contact participation designer Noora Riippi.
Contact info
Sinikka Koivumäki
sinikka.koivumaki@liiveri.net
040 513 1824