Transcript ELARD

22nd of June 2011
“Building Bridges for Transnational Cooperation”
“Presenting ELARD & its role in promoting TNC”
by Stefanos Loukopoulos
ELARD Coordination & Communications Officer
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Identity
 International non-profit organization founded in 1999 by 5 European National
LEADER networks :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
French LEADER Network - LEADER France
Greek LEADER Network - Eλληνικό Δίκτυο LEADER
Irish LEADER Network - Comhar LEADER na hEireann
Italian LEADER Network - AssoLEADER
Spanish LEADER Network – REDR
 Today, ELARD is representing 686 Local Action Groups through national and regional
voluntary networks in 18 countries:
Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czech
Republic, Latvia, Hungary, United Kingdom (Scotland and
Northern Ireland), Belgium, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia,
Denmark, Romania and Croatia.
ELARD aims
 One of the most important aims of ELARD is to:
"campaign to spread the philosophy, principles and reach of
the LEADER method grounded in the seven specific features in
order to achieve sustainable rural development across
Europe".
 The association aims also to:
"represent the interests and needs of its members in front of
other international, European, and national institutions to
liaise with other stakeholders and institutions working
towards an integrated rural development and to influence EU
policies in favour of rural development".
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ELARD aims
 promote experience exchange, sharing information and
cooperation activities through its members, partners and
European Institutions;
 To serve as a forum for the LAGs, the various NGOs, rural
groups and other organisations that wish to exchange their
views and experiences on rural development and the future
of rural areas in Europe;
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ELARD aims
 To liaise with similar networks and institutions that work
towards an integrated rural development;
 To support the partners/members in their efforts to carry out
innovatory actions in the field of rural development;
 To organise meetings and thematic conferences between
different Local Action Groups (LAGs) at European level;
 To encourage initiatives that will lead to cooperation;
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Network Presidency
 Rotation rule: each member Network assumes the Presidency
of ELARD for a term of two years;
 Past Presidencies: Italian Network (99-01), French Network
(01-03), Spanish Network (03-05), Irish Network (05-07), Greek
Network (07-10);
 Current Presidency: Finnish Network (Jan ‘11- Dec ‘12).
The Finnish Presidency
Aims of the Finnish Presidency of ELARD:
 Strengthen the LEADER Method by disseminating it to new
policy fields (regional, urban ,environmental, employment
and development policies).
 Development of the operational environment of LEADER.
(restore the flexibility and specific characteristics of LEADER
as it faces challenges emerging from mainstreaming).
 Expansion of ELARD membership base.
 Establish closer contacts with all LEADER actors.
 Promotion of international cooperation of LEADER actors.
ELARD and ENRD
 ELARD has been accepted since September 2008, as the European
Association representing Local Action Groups at European level in
the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD).
 Representatives of ELARD are participating both :
 in the Co-ordination Committee of ENRD;
 in the LEADER Sub-Committee of ENRD;
 ELARD co-chaired the Focus Group 1. ”Implementation of the
bottom-up approach under LEADER Axis”;
 ELARD representatives involved in two Thematic Working Groups of
ENRD:
 TWG 1. “Targeting territorial specificities and needs in Rural
Development Programmes;
 TWG 4. "Delivery Mechanisms of European rural development
policy”;
Being a
member of ELARD
Transnational level:
 Information and experience sharing through all European LAGs and
other European Rural Development Networks: www.elard.eu,
Newsletter, events, internal mailing list.
 Contact with other European LAGs in order to facilitate transnational
cooperation.
European Level:
 Direct information concerning Rural Development Policies and
Actions and the future of Rural Development by the European
Commission.
 Provide a strong platform from which the voices and concerns of
ELARD’s members are heard and taken into consideration.
 Brussels offices to coordinate and support members visits or actions.
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
ELARD in itself, as a pan-European association of LEADER Networks
provides an ideal platform for the promotion and development
of transnational cooperation.
It brings LEADER actors together, unites them under the ELARD
“banner” and hence contributes towards the creation of strong
contacts and the establishment of lasting trust.
The above are essential elements for successful transnational
cooperation.
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
ELARD views TNC as an integral component of the
LEADER method.
The Finnish Presidency of ELARD has set the promotion of
TNC as one if its core priorities.
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
On a more practical level ELARD promotes TNC through:
 ELARD Network internal mailing list;
 ELARD website (TNC tool);
 ELARD social media page (fb);
 ELARD Newsletter;
 Organisation of international events;
 Establishment of relevant activities/programs;
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
 ELARD Network internal mailing list:
ELARD encourages its members to transmit TNC requests to
the Brussels office. The TNC requests are then
disseminated amongst the vast network of ELARD
through the association’s internal mailing list. ELARD may
on occasion act as the intermediary.
ELARD’s role in promoting TNC
 ELARD website & fb page:
TNC requests are regularly posted on ELARD’s website News
Section and fb page. In addition a TNC forum has been
recently developed which allows for both ELARD members and
non members to post their requests and interact online.
ELARD’s role in promoting TNC
 ELARD Newsletter;
Developed a new section on ELARD News entitled “LAG’s
Corner”. This part contains among other ELARD member
LAGs best practice projects as well as TNC requests when
available. The Newsletter is distributed electronically
throughout the ELARD mailing list , thus reaching all
ELARD members as well as through the website and
subscriptions (wider audience).
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
 Organisation of international events:
15th-16th of June 2011, ELARD organized the “LAGs’ Global
Networks seminar” in Sastamala-Finland.
 Over 155 participants from 20 countries;
 Optimal environment for networking and establishment of
contacts for future cooperation;
 Included a “TNC Corner” set up by the ENRD which provided
participants with a whole range of TNC offers and requests.
ELARD’s role in promoting
TNC
 Establishment of activities/programs;
LAGs Staff Exchange program:
 Set to begin as pilot next Autumn;
 Aims at promoting TNC between LAGs;
 Enhance the dissemination of the LEADER methodology;
 Collection and future dissemination of best practices;
 Offer a low threshold opportunity for ELARD members to
cooperate.
Thank you for your attention!
Find further info about ELARD at:
www.elard.eu
[email protected]
[email protected]
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