Projets Prix LEADER Européens

France

Introduction

Jean-Noël Landemaine reprend l’exploitation de ses parents en 2003, conduite en agriculture conventionnelle sur 100Ha. Sont produits alors 15Ha de céréales, 25 Ha de maïs ensilage et 425 000L de lait. Rapidement, Jean-Noël prend conscience du changement climatique et du déclin de la  biodiversité ; il ne peut plus continuer à exercer son métier tel que ses parents l’exerçaient.

Cette remise en question concernant la durabilité de son activité invite Jean-Noël à faire évoluer son système vers le tout-à-l’herbe et le renvoie à une réflexion globale sur son mode de production, ce qui l’amène à la mise en place du séchage du foin en grange. Cette méthode consiste à sécher les fourrages à un stade précoce et sur une courte durée. Ainsi récolté, encore humide, le foin conserve tous ses nutriments.

Le séchoir permet de récupérer de l’air chaud sous toiture, la chaleur est récupérée par un ventilateur et soufflée sur le tas de foin stocké en vrac dans le bâtiment. Selon Jean-Noël Landemaine, « Il s’agissait de la meilleure issue pour sortir de tout ce que je ne pouvais plus accepter. »

Présentation du projet

Lorsque Jean-Noël Landemaine reprend la ferme de ses parents avec sa femme au lieu-dit Louverné à Chantrigné, commune du nord du département de la Mayenne, il est décidé à rompre avec le système transmis par ses parents et relayé dans les centres de formation. Le système apparu après-guerre avec le maïs ensilé à destination de l’alimentation des animaux est remis en question et disparait pour laisser place au système tout-à-l’herbe.

Sa sensibilité à l’environnement ainsi que l’attente grandissante des consommateurs sur des produits issus d’une agriculture plus durable sont ses principales motivations pour aller vers une agriculture plus durable malgré la peur du changement.

En transition vers une agriculture plus durable, le séchage de foin en grange conventionnel dans un premier temps permet de montrer un système durable pour la nouvelle génération. Il démontre que l’on peut gagner en qualité de travail, en préservation de l’environnement tout en maintenant une rentabilité économique pour l’exploitation. Il s’agit d’un tremplin vers une conversion en agriculture biologique qui permettra d’améliorer :

– la qualité de l’eau en limitant le lessivage et en diminuant les produits phytosanitaires

– le bilan carbone de son exploitation en diminuant la consommation de fioul, de déchets plastiques et en supprimant l’importation de soja par bateau. Le foin retenant mieux ses nutriments avec cette nouvelle méthode permet de maintenir les génisses en meilleure santé et, en prime, diminuer les frais vétérinaires. Les exploitants deviennent également plus autonomes pour la bonne alimentation de leurs animaux.

Pour réaliser ce projet, la première étape a consisté à implanter des prairies pour ensuite diminuer la part de maïs ensilage au profit de l’enrubannage. Ensuite, les travaux pour la construction du séchoir d’une superficie de 1 000m² ainsi que la pose de la griffe à fourrage ont pu démarrer au courant 2019 pour lancer l’activité de séchage en 2020. Ce projet intègre également un déshumidificateur pour permettre de retirer l’air avant de le faire passer dans le ventilateur et ainsi envoyer un air sec sous le foin, même par temps de pluie. L’eau d’évaporation de la plante sera récupérée pour donner à boire aux animaux. Cette révision du système s’accompagne également d’un programme de replantation de haies sur la ferme. L’ensemble de ces restructurations le conduisent à l’obtention de la certification en agriculture biologique en 2020. Et Jean-Noël Landemaine ne s’arrête pas là, constatant la diminution de son bilan carbone sur sa ferme, il pousse la réflexion jusqu’au marché du carbone et créé une association dans le but de rémunérer les agriculteurs pour leurs pratiques vertueuses et  financer la transition écologique. Son souhait aujourd’hui est de témoigner de son expérience auprès de jeunes en centre de formation pour accompagner le changement.

L’investissement global pour la réalisation du séchoir était très important pour l’exploitation donc Jean-Noël Landemaine est allé frapper aux portes des banques. Afin de rassurer les investisseurs et limiter l’emprunt bancaire, il a sollicité le GAL Haute Mayenne pour l’accompagner dans le montage du dossier de demande de subvention LEADER. Ici, le soutien financier européen a été un vrai levier pour concrétiser ce projet.

Le caractère emblématique du projet

Le projet répond pleinement à la stratégie du GAL Haute Mayenne qui vise à développer une agriculture économiquement viable tout en contribuant aux grands enjeux environnementaux. Avec ce projet, le défi du couple Landemaine a bien été de conjuguer l’équilibre économique de l’exploitation et le virage vers une agriculture plus durable.

Le séchoir est une technique présente dans les zones de montagne par le biais de toutes les AOC fromage (importance du foin pour les fromagers). Ainsi, la Suisse et l’Autriche ont été les pays pionniers sur cette technique, il en ressort une qualité certaine du cadre de vie : des prairies plutôt que des champs cultivés, pas de pesticides…

La technique du séchage en granges est encore peu diffusée en Mayenne, et particulièrement dans le Nord Mayenne. Le déshumidificateur intégré dans le séchoir ici présenté est la formule la plus en pointe de cette technique.

Environ 85% des systèmes avec séchoir sont implantés dans des exploitations certifiées en agriculture biologique, et c’est donc une particularité de ce projet que de le mettre en place sur un système conventionnel au départ.

Le projet de séchage du foin en granges est, comme le démontre Jean-Noël Landemaine, transposable dans toutes les fermes et s’adapte sur tous les territoires. Le déploiement de ce système est d’ailleurs un des objectifs de l’agriculteur.

Photos

GAEC de Louverné, Jean-Noël Landemaine et Marion Gardrat

Haute Mayenne

Pays de La Loire

Austria

Introduction

The Mostviertler Feldversuche (Field Trials) is a collaboration between Mostviertel Tourismus GmbH and the « best » chefs, producers, and winemakers of the Mostviertel region. Together they present the regional products of the Mostviertel in an experimental and innovative way at culinary events in extraordinary and unusual locations such as a pear orchard or a castle. Every year, five to seven events are organized, marketed, and bookable through Mostviertel Tourismus. 

During these culinary experiences, guests encounter both the new and the familiar. They work closely with the chefs and producers and participate actively, including picking, chopping, tasting, and smelling the ingredients. The maximum number of participants is limited to 50. 

Additionally, there are collaborations with innovative manufacturers and producers. Only primary products from the Mostviertel region are used, including meat, game, fish, vegetables, cheese, and more.  

Presentation of the project

As part of the implementation of the regional tourism strategy for the Mostviertel, consideration was given to which culinary format could be used to break new ground. To this end, a two-day retreat was held in April 2019 with the best culinary minds from the Mostviertel region and support from Austria and abroad. Together with culinary lateral thinkers and like-minded people such as Paul Ivic (Restaurant Tian), Andree Köthe (Essigbrätlein Nürnberg), winemaker Michael Gindl, sensory analyst Christine Brugger (Organic Distillery, Lake Constance) and restaurateur Josef Walch (Rote Wand, Zug am Arlberg), we discussed the flavours of the Mostviertel region and experimented for the first time. We were accompanied by Barbara Klein (concept and texts) and Jürgen Schmücking (photographer, author, gourmet critic). We realised that the Mostviertel cuisine has a strong foundation (tavern culture, cider and wine culture, small regional economic cycles around cider and dirndl, etc.). However, we also sensed that the Mostviertel had not yet exhausted its potential and that there was still room for a new, regional culinary format. This is how the culinary event series Mostviertler Feldversuche came into obeing, where the chefs experiment together with regional producers and give the regional products of the Mostviertel a festive and valuable setting. The regionality of the Mostviertel was thus raised to a new level. 

The participating LAGs supported Mostviertel Tourismus with their experience in all areas in the selection of partners. The project would not have been possible without LEADER and the network. 

Emblematic character of the project

The format has taken the collaboration between chefs and producers to a new and unprecedented level. The companies work very closely together, resulting in new ideas and new products that have made it onto the market (PetNat, etc.). Cereals are experimented with, pear seeds are extracted and new product creations are developed. The format has broadened the menus of the participating companies and new, creative ways of preparing dishes have emerged. 

With a few exceptions, almost all of the events have been sold out and the media presence of the Mostviertel region and the partner businesses has increased enormously, as has the advertising value. 

New opportunities for cooperation have been created for the partner businesses, and the regional producers have generated higher turnover through new sales channels. New products have broadened the producers’ product range and added value has been increased through product refinement. 

Pictures

Mostviertel Tourismus GmbH 

Cooperation of four LAG´s 
Moststraße, Eisenstraße Niederösterreich, Mostviertel-Mitte, Donau NÖ-Mitte

Mostviertel, Lower-Austria, Austria  

Czech Republic

Introduction

The Green Garden Apartments were created in 2009 – 2010 by removing unused

greenhouses in a dilapidated horticulture farm in Mladá Vozice. On the resulting area, an

accommodation facility was built that inspires guests to a balanced and considerate

lifestyle. For example, it uses solar water heating, eco-friendly cleaning products and

offers direct contact with the green garden where guests can taste fresh fruit. The

apartments have created an informal gathering space for the local community. The project

allowed the accommodation provider to expand its services to include mediation

experiences. By being able to take guests around tourist attractions in the region, the

operator has created unique experience packages for different target groups, including

guests with limited mobility.

Presentation of the project

Apartments Zelená zahrada are located in southern Bohemia, in the village of Mladá

Vozice, where almost 3000 inhabitants live.

In 1991, the Dlouhy family bought a garden that had been lying fallow for several years.

After several unsuccessful efforts to revive it, the couple decided to find a new use for the

garden, and so the Green Garden Apartments project was born. The main philosophy of the

project is to actively connect guests with the region where the couple live and which they

love.

In order to successfully develop a business that would respond to current trends in tourism

and the demand of a more demanding clientele, the Dlouhys lacked a transporter. By

acquiring it, they are now able to expand their services by offering experience packages that

they design with knowledge of the local environment and customs in a way that a guest

would not be able to put together. For example, transporting guests to Mount Blaník, where

they return to their apartments on scooters after exploring Blaník. An integral part of the

services offered is also the transfer of guests from/to the airport, the delivery of meals and

the transfer of guests to more distant cities for cultural activities. This removes the worry of

providing guests with their own vehicle and helps the accommodation providers to fulfil

their philosophy of an eco-friendly lifestyle.

The aim of the project was to extend services beyond the accommodation in the form of

experience packages and other services for the guests of the apartments.

In order to strengthen the local identity of the Dlouhý couple, their services are offered by

local entities: food producers, other service providers (masseuses, hairdressers, sommeliers)

and others. In addition to the above, they respond to the demand of the local population and

provide social spaces in the apartments for the local community to meet, for which they

organise, for example, yoga classes, handicraft training and lectures on healthy lifestyles.

Emblematic character of the project

The philosophy of the Aparmány Green Garden project fulfils the LEADER strategy by

creating a unique business concept with an emphasis on local identity and the environment

in a location with high but untapped tourism potential. The project has a positive impact on

the local community and uses local products and services.

Pictures

Entrepreneur

LAG Krajina srdce, z.s.

Czech Republic 

Czech Republic

Introduction

In 2018, the Technology Club – Tékáčko was established in Albrechtice nad Orlicí, designed for children and youth who are interested in creating new, interactive and fun projects, want to learn the basics of robotics, learn the processes of programming, orient themselves in graphic design and 3D printing, work with CNC tools, develop their creativity by building their own objects, or just understand in detail how modern technologies work and how to use them. It is not a classic « circle », but a professionally equipped leisure activity – a practical workshop « from design to realization », where children try, explore, discover, where they are not afraid to disassemble something, make mistakes and learn from them. 

The main method is teamwork on « projects », the outputs are regularly presented, children participate in robotic competitions, etc. In addition to the regular « teaching » sessions, thematic workshops are organised, as well as suburban camps during the school holidays, which are attended by others interested in the subject. 

Presentation of the project

Project location: Albrechtice nad Orlicí, Královéhradecký kral, Czech republic 

Tékáčko is becoming a center of polytechnic education in the region, using new non-traditional forms of teaching and their combination with formal education. The breadth of equipment – 3D printing, cutting plotter, CNC milling machine, sandbox, graphic programs, digital sewing and embroidery machine, 3D scanner, robotic kits, programmable units or Lego model railways with programmable safety systems, etc. makes Tékáčko unique not only at the regional but also at the national level. This is evidenced by the inclusion of Tékáčko in the Regional Network for the Support of Talents, the results of children in various national competitions, and the fact that the Tékáčko project was selected for the presentation of IROP and the use of EU subsidies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOFgQhjMF7Q. 

The benefits of the project are not only for the participants of the Tékáčko activities themselves but also for the whole region, as the pupils « transfer » their knowledge and way of thinking and working to other children in the school and become their inspiration. Tékáčko is a place where children can not only realize themselves but also increase their professional knowledge and practical skills and thus significantly develop their competencies for the future labor market in the Industry 4.0 era.  

Impact on other groups in the region:  

– Citizens, entrepreneurs, and companies in the region: the existence of a modern club with facilities for the professional growth of pupils in non-formal education with a focus on technical fields and working with digital technologies.  

– Primary and secondary school pupils: the opportunity to join the club’s activities, to develop their talent in the field of polytechnics and thus better prepare for their future profession  

– Primary and secondary school teachers: inspiration for the use of technology in individual subjects, to learn how to work with it (preparing teachers for teaching robotics, digital literacy, etc.) 

 – The municipality of Albrechtice nad Orlicí: increasing its prestige in the region and becoming a leader in non-formal technical education  

– Employers who can in the future get ready and motivated employees from among the graduates of the club’s activities 

the role of LEADER in the project: 

MAS supports schools in the region also in the field of IT, robotics and technical education, the Tékáčko center provides methodological support to schools, trains pedagogues, and school pupils attend classes there. 

Tékáčko was also involved in the children’s camps project with the aim of helping working parents during the holidays. 

LAG also implemented a project to support non-profit organizations in Regoin, where Tékačko was one of 30 project partners. The project aimed to support gifted children, training of lecturers and sharing between organizations. 

Tékačka management are members of LAG and actively participate in LAG projects and activities. 

Emblematic character of the project

One of the LAG’s priorities is the support of quality outdoor education for the 21st century, the support of cooperation between organizations – here is the cooperation of LAG, non-profit organizations, municipalities and local companies. 

The aim is not to learn to master specific technologies, but to show the essence of things, to work in a team on « projects », to help and inspire each other, and to discover one’s own talent. The use of modern technology thus serves to foster creativity, discovery, innovation. 

The club encourages pupils to avoid waste and to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. This year, for example, it purchased a recycler to process PLA/PETG waste from 3D printers. 

The project is LEADER’s priority because of supports children in acquiring technical knowledge because the region doesn’t have enough technically qualified schools. This leads to more kids being prepared for Industry 4.0. They also cooperate with many tech companies in the region. They combine the knowledge of older, more experienced people, and modern technologies, for the best result for the children. 

The project also comes as a hub for teachers, where they can get new knowledge about modern technologies. This can also be useful for other LAGs because they can collaborate.  

Finally, the project respects horizontal topics, it is wheelchair accessible, gender equal, and there are many girls in the club. It also promotes environmental responsibility. Overall, the project prepares young people for their future in the tech field. 

Pictures

RG RYCON z.s. 

NAD Orlicí, o.p.s. 

Czech Republic 

Czech Republic

Introduction

Transformation of the dilapidated and fire-destroyed cultural monument of the Třemešek Castle in Dolní Studénky into a lively community centre that will serve the entire LAG Šumperk countryside region. It includes a social enterprise, the Třemešek Café (which selling certified regional products), a family centre, a pilot social counselling centre for the LAG region, social housing and community spaces, which are widely used by associations not only from Dolní Studénky. LEADER/CLLD projects have fully funded the social café project and helped to provide equipment for the various spaces and run services across the castle. Several applicants were involved in the implementation of individual projects at Třemešek Castle. The LAG is therefore proof that community cooperation works not only in the development of the CLLD strategy but also in the development of a multi-fund project.

The community centre as a whole is innovative in:

• multi-fund financing method, which combines a spectrum of investment (ERDF+EAFRD+MF+Olomouc Region) and non-investment subsidies (ESF);

• application of pilot projects (e.g. shared social worker for 16 municipalities of the LAG region);

• the complexity of the target groups it targets and how it is able to bring them all together under one roof; which brings significant synergies.

Presentation of the project

Location: Třemešek Chateau, Dolní Studénky, Olomouc Region, CZ The region of LAG Šumperský venkov lacked a community space that would connect citizens from the LAG area across generations, a space with added value that would attract a wide range of target groups to use it actively.

Objectives: to create a multi-generational community centre in attractive premises that will benefit the region of LAG Šumperský venkov. Creation of new jobs. Role of LEADER: funding, networking, linking social service providers within the facility. The Třemešek Chateau (1587) is the cultural monuments. In 2007-2018 the building has functioned as a hostel for socially vulnerable citizens. In 2018, the building was destroyed by a fire. In spite of all the difficulties, an integrated multifund project combining a community centre, a family centre, 10 social and 7 rental flats, a social café and a space where citizens and associations from the village of Dolní Studénky and beyond can meet has been successful.

The community centre provides cultural and educational events, offers intergenerational gatherings of children, adults and seniors. The Family Centre runs a regular programme for young children with mothers, educational events for parents. There are clubs for older children and suburban camps. The premises are used by local citizens and interest groups such as SDH, community school, LAGs and TJ Sokol. The café employs mentally handicapped people who also live in the chateau. In the newly created premises there is also a social worker who helps not only the elderly from the 16 municipalities of LAG, thanks to the implementation of the project Accessible Social Counselling. The “LAGs work crew” was involved in the simpler construction works (one of the key projects of LAG) within the framework of accessible employment.

The biggest innovation we see is its complexity, as it impacts multiple target groups at the same time. The aim of the project is improving equality for all persons from different minority groups. One project has succeeded in providing new jobs for young people with intellectual disabilities. They have the opportunity to live within the same building. We have succeeded in bringing the issue of employment of people with disabilities to the wider public and in providing maximum support and cooperation to these people. Furthermore, the implementation of the project has enabled the active participation and return to society of mothers on maternity leave. The expansion of the services of the family centre has enabled the creation of several jobs for mothers with young children. The Family Centre staff regularly participates in charity collections to help vulnerable persons (mothers from Asylum Houses, Ukrainian refugees, persons with disabilities etc.) The newly created a social worker helps seniors and adults to prevent or resolve their adverse life situation. In addition, it has expanded the cultural character of the region, promoted tourism in the municipality, expanded the availability of social services for LAGs citizens, activated stakeholders/target groups and connected providers. Projects supported by LAG (5), otherwise 4 other grants.

• ERDF: CZ.06.4.59/0.0/0.0/16_074/0013254

• EAFRD: 20/004/19210/671/197/001314, 20/004/19210/671/197/001332

• ESF: CZ.03.2.65/0.0/0.0/16_047/0015914, CZ.03.2.65/0.0/0.0/16_047/0015962

Emblematic character of the project

It is an innovative integrated project that combines a number of target groups and is based on close partnership cooperation between the municipality and social service providers, non-profit organizations and social enterprises. The biggest novelty is the complexity of the whole project, which fulfils all the objectives of the CLLD LAG Šumperský venkov:

• It has created new job opportunities in the region.

• It connects and activates different target groups: children, elderly, disabled, socially weak, mothers on maternity leave, inclusion…

• Its services make the countryside more attractive to live in: offers services for which citizens usually have to travel to towns (social services, nice café, a family centre, housing…)

• Citizens know where to go if they have a problem: common social worker for the region

• Making the part of the village where the (formerly neglected) castle is located more attractive; a new very polupular venue for social/cultural events has been created; created a place where local communities and citizens can meet→ making the countryside more attractive to tourists and locals. Several entities are cooperating on the implementation of the project, and each applicant within the LAG had the opportunity to apply for subsidies and perhaps join the palette of projects under the roof of Třemešek Castle. We hope this project would be an inspiration and good practise for other LAGs. The castle is a unique example of the integrated fully multifund CLLD project both in the Czech Republic and the EU, combining all available CLLD funds (ERDF+EAFRD+ESF) and, at the same time, other EU, national and regional funding. It is also a very good example of cooperation of several key stakeholders as both project beneficiaries and, most importantly, social services providers which brings great synergies and complexity and quality of the social services delivered, moreover, in the innovative and inclusive way.

Pictures

Municipality of Dolní Studénky, Dobroty z venkova s.r.o. (social

entreprise), Family Centre Vikýrek, z.s., PONTIS Šumperk o.p.s.

(provider of social care)

MAS Šumperský venkov, z. s.

Czech Republic 

Czech Republic

Introduction

Due to the project a new place for community gathering and organizing local support for socially excluded inhabitants was established in the town of Dobříš – the biggest town of our LAG (9000 people). We put together people who offer help with those who need it. In the community center we organize collection and distribution of food and other necessities (hygiene items, basic household equipment) for homeless people, families in threat of social exclusion, elderly people who live alone etc. We also provide so called community wardrobe where the community can bring clothes in good condition and those who need it can choose what fits them. For children we organize tutoring, leisure time activities (ceramic classes, sport and gaming activities) and also special kind of therapies (for children in poor psychological condition), such as canistherapy, therapy with horses. We also support peer activities where older children and youngsters work with younger (common baking and tutoring). A great help was organized in our community center for Ukrainian refugees – purchase and distribution of winterization items (pillows, duvets, kitchen equipment, mattresses), food, diapers, washing detergents among more than 200 refugees. We laso support intercultural activities such as comon cooking with Ukrainian comunity. 

Presentation of the project

The project – new and the only one community center in our region was situated to the town of Dobříš, which is a natural center of the Brdy-Vltava region consisting of 32 municipalities which are managed by our LAG. There was no such a place in the whole region before. Through our work we met a lot of people from our community who would like to do something for others, but there was no space for such activities. On the other hand, there were around 400 people living in our region who were threat of social exclusion. For example, homeless people did not have any place where they can wash themselves and do the laundry. All of these led us into thinking of creating a place where could offered help meet with those in need. This is also the main objective of the project. Immediate capacity of the center is 50 people. During the project from July 2020 till June 2023 in total 538 local inhabitants repeatedly used the services of the center. We organized for example 36 meetings of seniors, 120 creative art activities for handicapped people, 35 meetings and creative activities for Ukrainian refugees, 150 lessons of the Czech language, 25 creative afternoons for children, 25 English lessons for children, 21 psychological activities,19 sewing lessons, 7 common cooking days. Distribution of food and other equipment every week, laundry and shower for homeless people every week and lots of other activities with the local community. The possibility of having a key project in our strategy financed through CLLD was crucial to make our vision happen. We have a great community around our LAG and due to the project, we have now also a place where we can meet and organize what is needed at the moment. This place allows us to flexibly react on various situations concerning our community. The project is going on also in the new program period 2021+. 

Emblematic character of the project

Location: Austria/ Salzburg Pongau 

There has not be established any community center in our region which should collect and react on needs of community as a whole. That was the main reason why was this project chosen as a priority for realization by actors in region. Creation of community center is the reaction on main goal of LAG SCLLD – GOOD CARE SERVICES (social area) and on identified local need – Development of field social work including community social work. Concept of Community center with its broad focus on whole community was chosen as best tool for implementation of LEADER principles in LAG region. We are now closer to inhabitants. We can better work with them and we provide better and more targeted support for them. 

We live in very variable surrounding regarding to needs of people. The added value of our community center consists on its flexibility. It is also main challenge of LAG strategy – to be flexible in reaction on situations which are coming to us (mentioned as well in paragraph above in identified need in our LAG Strategy). We are trying out it and we hope we are successful in providing targeted help for people with their specific needs. 

We are ready to help other LAGs in realizing similar project and to provide them our experience. We do not see any problem with transfer of our community center concept to other LAG or other rural actors. The main precondition is only to have desire to help people in given community and to have community social worker/s who are educated how to work with community and of course to have suitable open space where community can meet. 

Pictures

Psycholigical support to Ukrainian refugees. 

Meeting of partners of our LAG 

Nordic walking lesson 

First aid lesson for young mothers 

Sewing lessons 

Tasting Indian Cuisine 

Peer Czech language lessons for refugees 

Territorial Peer Review took place in our Community centre 

Tasting Mexican cuisine 

Tasting Indonesian cuisine 

Celebrating Ukrainian Bank Holiday 

Presentation of creative art program for handicapped people to the visit from Ministry of Social Affairs. 

Distribution of food and other kinds of support 

Creative art program for handicapped people 

Brdy-Vltava o.p.s. 

Brdy-Vltava o.p.s. 

Czech Republic 

France

Introduction

Le projet « Huguette The Power », la chorale du 3ème âge qui vous donne une seconde jeunesse est né de la rencontre d’un acteur culturel incontournable dans le département, l’association Au Foin de la Rue organisant le festival éponyme, les EHPAD du territoire avec les résidents et les professionnels de santé, et enfin un groupe de musique rétro-actuelle « Mémé les Watts ». Tous ensemble, ils réussissent à monter une chorale incroyable composée d’une soixantaine de « Huguettes ». Arnaud Ray, vidéaste et réalisateur est venu « attraper » des moments de vie et de partages avec sa caméra lors des répétitions et des concerts en vue de réaliser un film de quelques minutes. Tellement riche et intense, celui-ci a abouti à un véritable documentaire de 52 minutes. Afin de « semer des graines » et montrer que c’est possible, l’objectif est de le diffuser le plus largement possible.

Présentation du projet

Sous l’impulsion de Julie Aubry, médiatrice culturelle au sein de l’association Au Foin de La Rue, des ateliers de chant sont organisés dans six EHPAD et un EDI (Espace de découverte et d’initiative) avec Pierre Bouguier de la Compagnie des Arbres et des Hommes et chanteur du groupe « Mémé les Watts », en vue de monter une chorale de personnes âgées. Du projet « Huguette The Power » découlera un autre projet, celui d’en réaliser un film. Soixante Huguettes composent la chorale, ils travaillent leur voix sur un répertoire traditionnel et composent même une chanson, « le rap d’Huguette ». Arnaud Ray, le réalisateur, suit Pierre Bouguier, le « chef d’orchestre » dans ses déplacements et filme tous ces moments si émouvants. Les images des ateliers, répétitions, concerts, interviews des organisateurs, personnes âgées et autres participants se suivent et s’organisent pour mettre en lumière toute cette énergie dépensée par les uns et retrouvée pour les autres. Le documentaire fait apparaître l’importance du lien social, l’épanouissement et le bien-être que cela a procuré à l’ensemble de ces personnes. Selon le réalisateur « on se devait d’aller plus loin que l’exposition « simple » d’un plaisir partagé. Il s’agissait également de redéfinir les contours de ce qu’est la vieillesse, de montrer à quel point la musique réveille les corps, les âmes. » Les Huguettes montent sur scène pour la première fois lors du festival Au Foin de la Rue le 2 juillet 2016. C’est une vraie réussite ! Tous souhaitent réitérer l’expérience, cela donne lieu à un deuxième concert porté cette fois-ci par le CIAS de l’Ernée: Huguette The Power, rebelote ! le 22 janvier 2017 à Ernée, avec un succès retentissant. Les jauges doivent être revues à la hausse tellement la demande est forte. La possibilité de montrer ce dont les anciens sont capables de faire leur apporte beaucoup de fierté, d’épanouissement, cela les met en situation de talent et c’est très valorisant pour eux. La fin de vie est un moment souvent difficile pour les familles. « Avec ce projet, nous en faisons un moment de joie, cela fabrique des souvenirs positifs et peut même faciliter le deuil », selon Pierre Bouguier. La sortie en DVD a lieu en décembre 2017, à la suite d’une première projection au cinéma d’Ernée. Le documentaire est ensuite diffusé une cinquantaine de fois depuis sa sortie dans des cinémas, lycées professionnels, MJC, centres de formations. Soit une cinquantaine de projections sur 10 départements pour près de 5000 personnes. Il est ensuite diffusé pour la première fois à la télévision sur France 3. Des médias nationaux relaient à leur tour cette incroyable aventure. les Huguettes deviennent alors de vraies stars ! Le soutien LEADER, au-delà d’avoir permis de financer la réalisation du documentaire, des prises de vues jusqu’aux actions de communication, a permis de se lancer. Sans les fonds européens, ce film n’aurait pas permis de retranscrire toutes les émotions ressenties lors de cette incroyable aventure. « Ce film leur a donné la parole, rare et précieuse et a touché son public ».

Le caractère emblématique du projet

C’est bien l’enjeu de l’adaptation des services à la population qui est ici central. Le projet de documentaire « Huguette the power » se situe au cœur d’une réflexion sur les services à apporter aux personnes âgées accueillies en EHPAD, et notamment sur la possibilité qu’on leur donne de s’inscrire dans des projets intergénérationnels, culturels, qui les placent en interaction avec d’autres acteurs. Ce projet vise clairement le « bien vieillir » des personnes âgées en EHPAD, il leur permet en particulier de créer du lien social pour ce public dit « fragile ». L’innovation est présente dans le projet : la chorale s’appuie sur un répertoire de chansons traditionnelles mais aussi sur un répertoire hip hop, d’où les liens créés entre des personnes âgées, et un public de festival de musiques actuelles au point de départ. Le projet a été repéré au niveau national dans le réseau gérontologie comme une initiative tout à fait nouvelle en termes d’approche de la personne âgée accueillie en EHPAD : ici on lui redonne pleinement sa place dans la société, elle a un rôle, on vient la voir en spectacle, au cinéma. Les Huguettes seront même invitées pour une représentation au Grand Rex à Paris, accompagnées d’une centaine de fans. La forte implication du personnel soignant et d’animation des EHPAD a participé au succès de la chorale. Le documentaire valorise tout le travail d’encadrement réalisé. Ce projet est un vrai succès à tous niveaux : humain, sanitaire, social, culturel et la diffusion de ce documentaire ayant pour vocation de faire émerger d’autres initiatives a d’ores et déjà permis de lancer quelques chorales inclusives à l’image de Germaine and the Kids ou les Janzettes .

Photos

Compagnie Des Arbres et des Hommes

Haute Mayenne

Pays de La Loire

Austria

Introduction

The Innovation Network District Kitzbühel (INK) is a pioneering initiative fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at the regional level. Established in response to a study highlighting the Kitzbühel district’s lack of innovation, the INK collaborates with diverse stakeholders, including businesses, research institutions, and the local community. Addressing challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor and a dependency on tourism in the region, the INK aims to transform Kitzbühel into an innovative and economically robust place. INK serves as a networking hub, facilitating events, consultations, workshops, and initiating open innovation projects. Innovation managers play a key role in providing professionalized knowledge and community work. The physical hub, START.N in Kitzbühel, supports individuals with innovative ideas. INK launches initiatives like LOOT for young entrepreneurs along with mentoring programs and regional entrepreneurship events. The network actively showcases innovations in existing businesses, promoting sustainability through a circular economy. This holistic approach contributes to creating a desirable workplace and economic environment, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across various industries. Integrated into regional management, INK ensures agile operations and effective networking to meet the needs of the target audience.   

Presentation of the project

The district of Kitzbühel is known to be an economically strong tourism destination. However, a study analyzing the region’s sustainability in terms of economic development showed the district of Kitzbühel’s scarcity of innovation and digitalization. Other innovation-related issues the region is dealing with are the high costs of living space and the resulting brain-drain and lack of employees. Also, a want for higher education or research institutions causes young people to move to surrounding bigger cities in order to study. A major part of local enterprises is either operating in tourism, trade, or crafts. There are very few industrial companies with sufficient resources to pursue a higher level of innovation power.  

Therefore, the regional development agency Regio-Tech Regionalentwicklungs-GmbH in cooperation with the local chamber of economy decided to initiate a platform for innovation. This platform promotes innovation through bringing the innovative regional companies together in a network and connecting with universities, research institutions and schools. In addition to supporting corporates, the INK itself regularly develops and implements innovative initiatives like Pitch Nights focusing on cooperation instead of financial investments, FuckUp Nights, Innovation Award, Mentoring Program or bringing entrepreneurship into schools via LOOT. Moreover, a dedicated physical space has been established as a local point for people with innovative ideas, exemplified by the START.N start-up center in Kitzbühel. 

Objetives :  

• Promoting innovation in regional SMEs as well as the development of startups and therefore set the local industry up for the future. 
• Create higher-value jobs and therefore increase the attractivity of the region for labor-force. 
• Connecting various stakeholders (companies of all size, startups, population, economy chamber and other regional players) to drive innovation of all sorts: Social innovation, technological innovation, incremental as well as radical innovation.  

Output:  

• Over 63 events reaching over 800 local individuals. 
• Supporting and accompanying over 135 founders and companies  
• LOOT workshops with approx. 130 students from five different school types 
• 90% occupancy rate in the startup center within the first year  
• Four Pitch Nights were organised and offered 15 companies a stage 
• A regional Innovation Award was established and will be presented for the third time. 
• Building a community and connecting over 250 women for female empowerment (TRAUDI) 
• A main benefit of the innovation network is the creation of a strong network which connects relevant actors within the region à exchange, cooperations 
• Functioning as a lighthouse for the national GAP strategy  

LEADER plays a crucial role in empowering the project by providing essential financial resources. Additionally, it facilitates valuable network access, establishing connections not only within the immediate region but also fostering collaboration with other regions and projects. 

Emblematic character of the project

In the long term, the project will help to diversify the region’s economy and thereby strengthen it. This results in a contribution for all population groups, fostering an sustainable environment for work and business as well as strengthening the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. By embedding the Innovation Network in regional management and LEADER, agile action and good regional networking of the innovation managers is ensured in order to meet the needs of the target group. 

The multi-actor approach connects stakeholders from economy, science, politics and population on a regional level. This fosters innovation and the development of new services and products in existing businesses as well as the emergence of new companies. This was achieved through open innovation, direct support, networking, different events and workshop formats. 

Importantly, the project’s model is transferable to other regions seeking to stimulate innovation through a network-based approach. When replicating the innovation network Bezirk Kitzbühel, the unique characteristics of each locality must be considered, particularly concerning key stakeholders. Nevertheless, the project’s activities hold promise for applicability in other regions facing similar challenges, providing a template for fostering innovation and sustainable economic development. 

Pictures

Websites:  

https://www.regio-tech.at/page.cfm?vpath=innovationsnetzwerk

https://www.startn.at/

Willkommen v2

http://www.loot-box.at/  

Traudi Frauentreffpunkt

Video: 

START.N 

LOOT

Pitch Night

FuckUp Night

Regio-Tech GmbH 

LAG Regionalmanagement regio³ Kitzbühel 

Austria – Tyrol 

Austria

Introduction

In the municipality of Gaflenz, a unique local supplier (primary care) has emerged in the form of a hybrid market (with specific focus on local and regional products with a share of 35% on assortment) in the town center. Hybrid market means, that there is personal service and self service temporary (focus on off peak times)!  

The project concept goes far beyond classic retail, as a combination of different services has been created (Café, public outdoor pool buffet, shopping outside opening hours, postal service, paper good store) 

By means of a citizens’ cooperative, the project is supported in a long-term and diverse way oriented on smart village aspects (financing among others by crowdfunding, form of operation -cooperative, member loyalty, stimulation of village center, create a social meeting point within the community, using infrastructure synergies – parking spot, supply infrastructure). 

Presentation of the project

The project is located in the center of a small village in the South of Upper Austria, which is called “Gaflenz”. In this location life about 2000 inhabitants. It´s a real rural area und the village is famous for it´s lively voluntary club life. So, the main challenges are the handling of generally emigration tendencies, to keep a high life quality in the village, to motivate citizens to engage and especially to maintain local food supply and self-sufficiency. 

in Upper Austria. 

As it occurs that the last local supplier within the village tended to close down his business, the village community got active. They decided to prolong the local supply with regional groceries and products of everyday use, because they wanted to keep life quality in the community. Therefore, they founded a local cooperative to run the initiative, to create identity and longterm participation as well as future frequency for the coming local supply business. Another advantage of this strong local cooperative has been the possibility und the need to gain financial support to get over high investment in project. After forming this cooperative community they realized a huge exertion in planning, experience exchange, raise money, discussion/coordination and finally implementation of an very innovative format of local supply. 

Objectives 

• Maintaining/increasing the quality of life in Gaflenz (future investment) by increasing the attractiveness of the place as a residential, economic, recreational and living space 
• Maintaining/improving the quality of local supplies in the community of Gaflenz (infrastructure, range, availability of regional products) with special focus on target groups (elderly people, young people, full time workers, especially women) by accessibility round the clock and localization of shop in the village center  
• revitalizing the town center and creating a social meeting place in Gaflenz (social cohesion, identity) and bundling infrastructure to use synergies and minimize soil/space consumption 
• Raising awareness of local suppliers, strengthening personal responsibility, retaining purchasing power in the local area and creating new/expanded income opportunities for local/surrounding (small) farmers and thus contributing to maintaining jobs or farms as a whole in the region 

Actual or expected outputs 

• realization of an innovative local supply store (size -200m² and additionally 100 m² of store; not included in LEADER but also built – 70 m² of bistro with 70 m² of integrated terrace). It offers a broad range of different products (foods as well as everday need with a share of at least 35% from local provenance and an unpacked station) and it operates as a hybride store (entrance and identification with credit card, self-service times on weekends and off -peak times, surveillance system, self-service scanner and payment system) 
• at the moment citizens cooperative is holding x members an it is still growing, they managed to contribute an amount of € 75.000,- for investment 
• shop frequency is satisfactory und business runs economically 
• LENZ has established as a working village center meeting point 

LEADER has been a crucial factor of success within the project. Not only by giving financial support to the project owner, but also act as a coordination point/network to guarantee exchange of experiencies between best practice examples, give important thematic impulses and to be a reliable companion (financing, project management, …). Nevertheless – LEADER was an important aspect to increase quality und success within the project, as the project selection commitee demanded to run an « Agenda 21 process » just before starting the project to enhance community support.  

Emblematic character of the project

Why is this project a priority for LEADER in your strategy? 

The project « Lenz » is one of our showcase projects wihin LEADER initiative, because it supports our efforts to strengthen lifequality und citizen engagement (smart village approach) in the region in an innovative way (in the sense of technical, organizational and social innovation). Another strong objective within our LEADER region is to ensure local supply service as broad as possible in Nationalpark Kalkalpen area. So « Lenz Project » is one in a row of many new an fascinating formates in the local supply approach, which occured in the last period.  

The project addressed these challenges by building a strong community and created a new, innovative formate of local supply.  

Many other regions and initiatives has already gained informations and expériences from the project (excursions, lectures, experience exchange…) ! They are still ready to passa long informations an to give impulses to other initiatives ! 

Pictures

Start

Bürgergenossenschaft Genial-Regional-Gaflenztal eGenCooperative 

Leader Region Nationalpark OÖ Kalkalpen 

Austria