As regards Leader activities in Finland, one of the main priorities of the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland 2007-2013 is to network and create cooperation between different kinds of actors, also at the international level. The resultant networks will be used to disseminate innovative solutions and know-how, so as to improve the competitiveness of rural actors.
During the current programme period the aim is to implement 300 transnational cooperation projects. The LAGs will act as regional coordinators and activators of international cooperation. The aim is to engage other rural actors, including associations, organisations and cooperatives, as project applicants and partners. The LAGs may also themselves apply to run international projects.
The LAGs do not have to specify their project ideas in relation to transnational cooperation (TNC) in their Local Development Strategies (LDS). It is always possible for LAGs to apply to run a TNC project, even if it this has not been mentioned in the LDS.
How cooperation projects are selected for funding
The local plans of LAGs include eligibility criteria and procedures for cooperation projects.
After applicants submit a project application to a LAG, the board of the LAG processes the the applications and issues a statement. The main criteria for funding concern the extent to which projects meet the conditions set out in the LAGs local development strategies, the Leader principle and the relevant axes of the Rural Development Programme for Mainland Finland (axis 4 and axis 1 or 3, depending on the nature of the project).
Cooperation activities eligible for funding under measure 421
Types of project eligible for funding include:
- international projects that exchange information on rural development, including environmental management, improving the living conditions of young people, or developing the rural economy
- exchanges of information and skills between entrepreneurs from two Leader territories
- joint marketing conducted by the entrepreneurs of two Leader territories
- development projects designed to prepare international projects and look for international partners
- projects facilitating the work of international rural agents and coordinators.
Activities should aim to find new ideas and solutions to problems encountered in the local rural development context, and establish new and innovative cooperation activities between rural areas. They should also increase the international skills and competence of rural residents and entrepreneurs.
The approval process for TNC applications
As regards cooperation projects, the LAGs decide whether the application process should be continuous or of a fixed duration (with at least one open application process held every year).
When the LAG board has made a statement that a project is suitable for funding, the regional ELY centre must check the legality of the project before granting official approval.
The ELY centre then enters information about the project and its approval into the programme database. The Managing Authority informs the EU Commission via SFC of the approval of the TNC project.
LAGs may submit applications to their regional ELY centre any time. There is no maximum time limit for the duration of the application and approval process.
Documentation concerning cooperation partners required from LAGs
All project partners must commit themselves to participate in the funding of the project. No additional documents are needed besides those mentioned in the ‘Guide for the implementation of the measure Cooperation under the Leader axis of rural development programmes 2007-2013’ (RD12/10/2008 rev. 3).