Local Action Group (LAG) The Capital and Countryside Hand in Hand
Community-Led Local Development (CLLD/LEADER)
The Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region with new 2021-2027 programming period, has initiated the leadership of the Local Action Group (LAG) The Capital and Countryside Hand in Hand. This initiative was officially confirmed at the Founding Assembly on February 27, 2023, in Grosuplje. The assembly was attended by 117 members who elected the governing bodies of the LAG. The LAG covers four municipalities within the Central Slovenia region: Grosuplje, Ig, the City Municipality of Ljubljana, and Škofljica.
The total area spans 552 km², with a population of 333,912 inhabitants (49,619 living in rural areas). The region is highly populated in lowland areas, experiencing increased migration and urbanization. In contrast, the hilly areas with lower settlement density are facing slower development. The entire LAG area represents a homogeneous spatial unit, confronting common development challenges typical of larger suburban regions.
Through the established LAG, funding from two European funds is available: the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The LAG operates in accordance with the LEADER/CLLD approach, with a developed Local Development Strategy (LDS). The “bottom-up” approach allows local residents to actively determine the priorities and development goals for their areas.
To prepare the LDS, we analyzed the local situation (through available data and field workshops). Based on the collected materials, we identified three primary needs for the area: creating an attractive living environment, environmental protection, and sustainable rural development.
In the new programming period, we will focus on six key measures: (1) improving the quality of life, (2) revitalizing rural areas, (3) promoting sustainable mobility, (4) improving biodiversity and reducing the impacts of climate change, (5) enhancing skills and acquiring new competencies, (6) developing a recognizable local offering. These measures will contribute to achieving the goals of the LDS, addressing local development needs, mobilizing local potential to solve rural challenges, connecting various partners and communities, ensuring equal involvement of stakeholders, promoting innovation, digitalization, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and enhancing the overall added value of the LAG region.
The available funds for the implementation of the LAG Sožitje strategy at the beginning of the programming period is EUR 2.123.373,08, with the EAFRD contributing EUR 1.129.664,61 and the ERDF EUR 993.708,47. Of this, the support for projects approved for the EAFRD amounts to EUR 787.327,30 and the ERDF contribution is EUR 781.371,16.
Eligible beneficiaries for support to implement projects under the LDS with the EAFRD can include the LAG, individuals, or legal entities. Under the ERDF, physical persons (except sole self-employed persons) are not eligible. The public support rate for individual projects is 80% of eligible project costs. An exception applies for EAFRD investments – for investments in construction, acquisition (including leasing), or improvement of real estate, and agricultural machinery, the eligible costs are covered at 65%.
The lead partner of the LAG performs the following tasks in accordance with Article 33 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060:
- Managing the implementation of the approved LDS and executing the measures of the LDS throughout the entire programming period.
- Staff activities at the lead partner, including training for managing the LAG.
- Public relations activities, promoting the LAG, and facilitating networking.
- Preparing a non-discriminatory and transparent selection process, criteria, and internal guidelines that prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that no sector dominates the decision-making process regarding project selection.
- Ensuring access to the relevant information systems for each fund before submitting applications and payment claims.
- Preparing and publishing public calls for project proposals, verifying the legality of projects, determining the support amounts, selecting projects, and choosing other projects in cooperation with the LAG bodies.
- Submitting applications and payment claims for individual supports in accordance with the specific conditions of each fund.
- Prior to submitting a payment claim, verifying that the projects have been implemented in accordance with the approved application and ensuring that co-financed projects are properly labeled according to the fund’s rules.
- Strengthening the capacities of local stakeholders to develop and implement projects and ensuring that beneficiaries are informed about their rights and obligations even after the final payment.
- Promoting the area, providing information to interested residents in the LAG region to encourage the implementation of the LDS, supporting project execution, and assisting potential beneficiaries in preparing their projects.
- Monitoring the progress of the LDS implementation and reviewing project performance even after the disbursement of funds.
- Evaluating the implementation of the LDS.
- Collaborating with authorities referred to in Article 3 of this regulation, audit bodies, and other supervisory bodies of both funds.
- Regularly publishing all relevant information to enhance the awareness of beneficiaries and the public, including public calls for project selection, project selection results, project descriptions, and details of implemented projects, on the LAG website and other media.