Slovenia recently introduced a series of simplifications and harmonisations that have enabled the country to become a role model in implementing the LEADER initiative. This simplified approach to LEADER helps Slovenian local communities to carry out projects, tailored to their needs, faster and more efficiently. This enhances social capital, improves development capacities, and ensures sustainable development of the countryside.
What are LEADER and CLLD?
LEADER encourages individuals, municipalities, institutions, businesses, associations, and other stakeholders in a given local area to come together, develop a joint vision for development, and actively participate in its delivery on the ground. Community-led local development or CLLD takes LEADER to the next level. CLLD has proved to be a very efficient approach to development planning and project implementation at the EU level. Implementation of LEADER in the 2023-2027 period in Slovenia builds on a long history of state-wide experience with joint approaches to CLLD. This continuation allows Local Action Groups or LAGs to blend EU funding from the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion policy. Development funding opportunities are provided for LAG territories, with project grants ranging from EUR 5,000 to EUR 200,000. Harmonised ERDF and EAFRD rules help cut red tape and facilitate project implementation. Common rules on management and preparation of local development strategies (LDS) ensure consistency and make life easier for local actors.
European Commission recognises Slovenia’s implementation of CLLD as a good practice example
All Slovenian municipalities are a part of Local Action Groups or LAGs. They work closely together with the Slovenian Rural Development Network, the Managing Authority and the Agency for Agricultural Markets and Rural Development. Together, they provide development opportunities funded under LEADER. In the previous programming periods, including the 2014-2020 period, Slovenia adopted one of the most effective approaches to CLLD implementation among member states. This is enabled by a common national legal framework that allows for efficient implementation of measures and facilitates project management at the local level. Essentially, it is strengthening social capital that LEADER brings to the table. This includes greater mutual trust, enhanced collaboration, and active involvement of local stakeholders. Besides bringing together local stakeholders, the projects also foster cross-sectoral, inter-regional, and transnational cooperation.
Inspiring LEADER examples
Slovenia is home to many inspiring LEADER projects that reflect the creativity and innovation of local communities. Over 1,500 LEADER/CLLD projects, funded by three funds (EAFRD, ERDF, and EMFF), were carried out between 2014 and 2020. These projects address the specific needs of local communities. For example, LAG of the Upper Savinjska and Šaleška Valleys is noteworthy for its success in helping fund the highest number of cooperation projects among the country’s LAGs. One of the projects includes an experience echoing back to the country’s tradition of timber rafting, allowing participants to descend along the lively rapids, on a simulated raft ride on the Savinja River. Specialist business training for food firms on lyophilisation, also known as freeze-drying, is one of the projects carried out by the Ljubljana Marshes and Surroundings LAG. The project Local Products from Count Blagaj’s Land is a capacity building initiative. It aims to involve local businesses in providing tourist offers such as farm culinary tours, including a packed lunch full of local products. Its innovative bottom-up design led to workshops on improving how a business product range is presented to domestic and foreign visitors. The outcomes helped increase tourists’ appreciation of local culinary delicacies.
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