In collaboration with the national LAG federations, ELARD is organising the 2024 ELARD Cooperation awards.

This year, the competition will focus on the theme of cooperation. You have implemented a cooperation project with one or various national or international partners on the 2014-22 programming period? Give a try to be recognized at international level!

There will be four awards :

  • People’s Choice Award, based on an online public vote;
  • The 3 Jury Awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Conditions of entry

  • This competition is open only to beneficiaries of the LEADER programme for the 2014-2022 programming period;
  • Shortlisted project representatives, or the corresponding lead LAG, commit to prepare a video presentation (maximum 3 minutes) in English (or with English subtitles) of their project, which will be shown at the awards ceremony.
  • Project partners must coordinate and submit one application per project, not one per partner.

Pre-selection process

Participation is free. You have until 09 September 2023 to submit your projects!

To take part, simply complete the form below:

LAG project leaders can apply.

1 application = 1 project

Jury

The jury assessing applications will be composed of:

  • A member of ELARD’s Council
  • A member from a member LAG
  • An honorary member of ELARD
  • A national expert of the Rural Pact Support Office Support Group
  • A member of the European Rural Parliament consortium

Selection criteria

Projects will be assessed following these criteria:

  • Quality of the partnership: are partners diversified and complementary?
  • Impact and LEADER added value: what is the added value of LEADER in this project (better governance, better social capital, better results compared to a “regular” project)? What is the reach of the project in terms of beneficiaries and geographical zones touched?
  • Relevance to LEADER objectives: is the project in line with LEADER principles?
  • Sustainability and viability: could the project be perennised in time or extended?
  • Transnational impact: quand impact at international scale did the project have in terms of mutual learning and skills transfer?

Timetable for assessment process:

  • The competition is open from 1 July to 09 September 2024.
  • Public Prize 09 September- 27 September: public voting opens on a dedicated digital platform.
  • Jury’s Choice Awards: the jury will judge the projects individually.

Awards ceremony at the European LEADER Congress 2024

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held during the European LEADER Congress 2024 at the Futuroscope in Poitiers on 03 October 2024.