European LEADER Awards projects

Ireland 

Introduction 

Laragh Sports Partnership (LSP) invested €281,000 in developing a 580m x 2m walking track, incorporating 24 different Biodiversity Zones around the new community park in Laragh. The track follows the contour of the new grass pitch on the south and follows the contour of the Laragh River on the north. The development also includes interpretive signs for each zone and incorporates an audio guide via a QR code to give a multidimensional experience to the facility user through modern technology. 

Presentation of the project 

The rural community of Laragh Co Cavan like many other communities are facing several challenges in the context of climate change, loss of biodiversity and fragmentation of natural habitats. These challenges are compounded by geographical isolation and call for a return to core values in the development of rural areas which are rooted in agriculture change as well as responding to new societal demands such as safe and ethically produced foods healthier environment and sustainable and affordable energy.  

In developing this project plan the following factors were taken in to consideration: 

• The need to enhance what is already in place, improve sports areas that have potential for biodiversity and create an area for the community to connect with the natural world. 
• LSP foresaw that if they developed the educational aspect of the biodiversity walk, that it would help to inform the local community of ways they could make a difference in their daily lives for nature/biodiversity and a more resilient community.   

This project was developed through the assistance of a biodiversity training course run by CCLD LEADER in 2019. During this course, many contacts were made with biodiversity/nature experts and their input and advice was sought on many aspects. LSP were also successful in securing a LEADER grant of €200,000 to help realise this project. There was also a considerable effort locally to fund raise the matching funds.   

The overall development fosters an appreciation within the local rural community for the conservation of natural habitats, encourages a local food culture and better management of resources for a sustainable economy locally. The ultimate goal of this project is to improve the quality of life of those living within the Laragh community and preserve the local environment. Sustainable development and its inclusion in community development is a great way for communities to learn, implement, and practice sustainability in their daily operations. The success of this project will be measured in terms of its ability to promote social equity and foster broad-based community participation in its implementation. In this regard, Laragh Sports Partnership is committed to building an inclusive, resilient and sustainable community. 

This project will create a vibrant social space and a ripple effect that helps grow the capacity of local people by creating a great way for the Laragh community to learn, implement environmentally sustainable good practice. Utilising interpretive signs and modern technology to give a multi-dimensional experience to the facility will in a unique way encourage people to become more mindful of their actions and how they can be more sustainable for their benefit and the benefit of those around them. The project has also become a valuable resource to schools all over the county who can visit and learn about biodiversity . 

This project was funded through the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 Theme— Rural Environment with Sub-Theme —Biodiversity. It also meets the objectives of Cavan County Local Developments Local Development Strategy namely Strategic Action — 3.2.2 Protection and enhancement of natural habitats. 

The reasons Rural Environment as a theme and Protection and improvement of local biodiversity as the sub-theme were chosen: 

1. The promoters are based in a rural area in Cavan and their project is outdoors in nature. There is a lack of this type of facility in rural Cavan. 

2. Their project is concerned with enhancing and safeguarding habitats and wildlife that exist on their site. 

3. They plan to encourage people to reconnect with nature by providing them with a facility to enjoy and appreciate. 

4. They will encourage a sense of community ownership by having a space to attract and involve all ages and abilities. 

5. They hoped to provide a facility that will encourage awareness, education and discovery for all through the shared appreciation and promotion of our local biodiversity. 

6. They hoped to reintroduce many native plants, trees and flowers into their River Walk and community park to encourage biodiversity on-site and nearby. 

This project has the ability to be used by other LAGs as it highlights that community recreational facilities can be so much more we are using the project as a reference for other projects seeking funding for walking tracks. 

Pictures 

Ireland 

Introduction 

Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) are committed to helping transition Cavan to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable county. To achieve this, they set out to deliver free climate action training programmes to Cavan communities and local enterprises.  

The need to support training which raised awareness and knowledge in respect of the impacts of climate change on individual’s daily lives was identified as a need within the Environment Theme of the Cavan Local Development Strategy 2016 (LEADER RDP 2014 – 2020 (extended to 2022)). It was identified that there was a need to provide climate solutions and knowledge to the community, whilst encouraging individuals to share their own experiences, with support from tutors who have expertise in this field.  

CCLD prepared detailed terms of reference and sought tenders for the provision of this series of 3 climate action-training programmes. An appropriate and qualified collective of trainers was awarded the tender which was supported through the Cavan LCDC/LAG LEADER programme. This six-week course was drawn up to cover a range of topics including climate action, community resilience, energy and transport, climate change and water, sustainable agriculture and land use and waste and the circular economy.

 

Presentation of the project 

The overall aim of the ‘Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action’ training programme was to enable participants to build awareness and capacity by equipping communities in Cavan with knowledge and skills which they can apply to their lifestyles in order to make their communities more climate resilient and environmentally sustainable. This aim was achieved and exceeded in many ways as participants from the 3 separate training programmes have formed a ‘county-based climate action network’. 

Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) are committed to helping transition Cavan to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable county. To achieve this, they set out to deliver free climate action training programmes for Cavan communities and local enterprises.  

3 ‘Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action’ training programmes have been delivered in County Cavan. A total of 52 participants participated fully in the training. Throughout the delivery of the 3 programmes there was a mean total of 59 participants who attended the programme. A Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action Facebook page was established and 64 participants have now joined this group. A dedicated Cavan C4CA – Zoom account has been created to facilitate ongoing interaction between all 3 classes. Active WhatsApp groups have been established for each class and these are in regular use.  

The results of this project are the establishment of a local climate action network and a community who are focusing on climate solutions which will feed into the plans of agencies in the county including CCLD, Cavan LAG and the Local Authority moving forward. The network will enhance the wider community’s understanding of the need for climate solutions and it will provide support to groups that undertake to develop climate friendly projects in the future. 

See below a couple of quotes from participants of the climate action training; 

• “I enjoyed the exploration of the emotional aspects of climate change: climate anxiety, climate apathy. The need for a mind and heart approach.” Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action programme participant. 
• “I felt the course was a rich, broad and balanced learning experience on climate change, its causes, implications and solutions.” Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action programme participant. Cavan Communities 4 Climate Action programme participant. 

It was particularly difficult to promote the opportunities for LEADER funding to assist in developing climate solution type projects to the wider community. This approach, using the bottom-up-approach is about sharing knowledge and consulting with our local community with a view to harnessing their expertise to feed into a better future for us all (whether LEADER funded or through other supports). This training has empowered the community to put climate solutions forward for inclusion in the next local development strategy for LEADER in the Cavan LAG area. 

CCLD were delighted to deliver all 3 programmes, 1 online and 2 in a face-to face classroom environment. Once the enough interested in the training was garnered, with a target of approximately 20 participants per programme, the quality of the training took over and the level of engagement by the participants was encouraging. Because of the promotional activity, by using social media to attract participants, they attracted a good number of young people to participate in the training who became valued network members. The highlight of each of the 3 course’s was a full day trip to Cloughjordan Ecovillage (www.thevillage.ie ). Cloughjordan is an internationally recognised destination for learning about sustainable living and climate action.  

CCLD believes that these courses have improved climate literacy and understanding of climate action in the county. As a result of the course, they are building a network of Cavan citizens interested in local climate action and they wish to build on this success through the next Cavan Local Development Strategy (2024 – 2027 LEADER programme). 

The development and implementation of Climate solutions among our communities are pertinent at this time of crisis. It is important that LEADER provides communities with the supports, training, access to expertise and funding to implement climate solutions in their communities.  The template of this training could be adapted and implemented in any LAG EU wide.   

Pictures 

Please watch this video clip which shows the reaction of course participants as they commenced their climate action journey on this training programme in Cavan: https://fb.watch/e7N8nS4XVv/  

 

Ireland 

Introduction 

In the late 1990s, a team of dedicated local volunteers recognised the unique potential of the disused exhausted slate quarry for transformation as a unique outdoor performance space.  The quarry in the townsland of Ballykeffe, had been for many, at best- a base for occasional rock climbers using its steep cliff walls, and at worst its base, a dump for crushed cars.  Over the course of two decades the volunteers from the Kilmanagh, Ballycallan and Killaloe Enterprise Group Clg. (KBK), have created Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre, a social enterprise, as an all-seater 850 outdoor venue for music and performance- as well as retaining its former use as an outdoor climbing centre. 

From its opening and first music concerts in 2000, the KBK Group has hosted hundreds of events.  KBK has steadily developed both the venue- and its programme of events to where today the group host an average of 12 large concerts over the spring and summer of each year, in a venue that is designed and engineered to cater for the needs of international standard acts.  The development has included sound and lighting systems, seating, artist shelter, ‘front of house’ and refreshment areas. 

Presentation of the project 

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre is situated 13 kilometres southwest of Kilkenny City, Ireland outside the village of Kilmanagh.  KBK: the promoter group, was established by local young people in 1986, to promote community development- and support enterprise and employment.  The area is very rural in character, with few businesses outside farming to benefit or contribute to the opportunities the beautiful pastoral scenary presents.  Ballykeeffe Hill is a nature reserve and was already a focal point for walking on its trails- as well as was the exhausted quarry at its base, an informal rock climbing location.   

In the early 2000s the KBK group identified the Ballykeeffe as a potential social enterprise opportunity.  With analysis & development measure support from LEADER the group had a development plan designed.  The venue now offers the local community a source of pride, local businesses- an opportunity to avail of visitor footfall and spending- and the wider county a cultural resource of a unique design and of a national standard for outdoor events. 

Ballykeeffe Amphithetre has a become a exceptional success.  Most of the events are music concerts, and KBK are careful to balance each year’s ’Programme of Events’ to different musical tastes.  This has ensured that it has not been seen as either a niche nor an elitist venue.  Many of the concert events are sold each year to capacity.  The venue has established a reputation for excellence with artists and performers.  It has established iteslf and the locality as a cultural hub. 

Crucially, as an established and successful local enterprise it KBK supports other local community projects, and is central to the community live of the area. 

Over the course of 23 years the Kilkenny Local Action Group continued to support development of both the venue’s infrastructure and of the capacity of the KBK to plan and operate the venue through a succession of LEADER projects.  KLP’s latest grant aid support was to complete the seating installation at the amphitheatre.  The climbing sport continues at the venue on an informal basis, as does the recreational walikg and appreciation of nature in the adjacent reserve. 

The project is an excellent example of a model for other communities on how flexible-lateral thinking and planning can transform a “problem site” into a strategic advantage for the community.  It is a classic Smart Village project.  KLP has made the promotion of the Smart Village concept a key element of its Local Development Strategy.  In addition, KLP places the role of culture as a very important element in a community’s sense of esteem and of place.  Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre provides the communities of Kilmangah, Ballycallan and Killaoe- and their wide rural hinterland with a performance space, and a source of pride. 

The self-identified ‘parish area’ of Kilmangah, Ballycallan and Killaoe is very rural and the settlements are small and scattered.  Farming and small allied enterprises are its main economic driver.  The location site of Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre is approximately central central to the settlements/ areas and provides a socially unifying project.  By its nature it allows an outlet to other cultural activities- other than a traditional thriving sport environment to all of its residents, while opening the area up to cultural experience of a national and international type. 

The site has been developed sensitively- with the climbing opportunities of the quarry cliff face and the walking and biodiversity appreciation prospects of Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve, which forms the literal backdrop to the Amphitheatre has been included in the overall community promotion of the place.  This has led to an increased (but environmentally sustainable) use of both ancillary resources. 

Culture is an area that needs more prioritization in rural development policy, planning and practice.  This project could readily be transferred to another LAG area- and not just one that has an identical siter issue: the key example is that of lateral thinking and best use of resources.

   

Pictures 

Video of Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre 

Video of KLP LEADER- Smart Village Training Day (outdoor and socially distanced during Covid 19 restrictions) 

Photo of Ballykeeffee Amphitheatre activity :  

a. Shelter Spilios Agapitos-2.060 m. 

b. Christos Kakkalos-2.648 m. 

c. Ioannis Chasiotis, 1.050 m. 

Greece  

Introduction 

The rural area of Pieria is characterized by the existence of 2 major mountainous massifs: Olympus Mountain and Pieria Mountains. On these mountains there are several huts and shelters, constructed at several periods and under severe difficulties. These shelters are visitable throughout the year, but also acting as emergency shelters during the severe winter conditions that the shelters are not operating, providing accommodation and food.  

Three of these shelters, 2 at Olympus Mt. (Spilios Agapitos-2.060 m. and Christos Kakkalos-2.648 m.) owned by Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing and one at Pieria Mt. (Ioannis Chasiotis, 1.050 m.) owned by  Greek Mountaineering Association of Katerini require important investments, at building level-including energy and water efficiency (PV and water tanks) and at equipment level-for modernization.  

This bundle of 3 projects focus on improving the attractiveness of the area through the rational management of the natural environment, the development of related infrastructures, the upgrading of the local services offered, as well as the preservation and promotion of the environmental identity. 

Presentation of the project 

Project location : The 3 mountain shelters are based at Olympus Mountain and Pieria Mountains. These shelters are, 2 at Olympus Mt. (Spilios Agapitos-2.060 m. and Christos Kakkalos-2.648 m.) owned by Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing and one at Pieria Mt. (Ioannis Chasiotis, 1.050 m.) 

Elements of context (need for action / problem) : The 3 shelters have been constructed several decades ago, with difficulties (transfer of materials with mules) and without the possibility to use front line techniques and materials. Moreover, severe weather conditions at yearly level (extreme altidute and low temperatures-wind) but also spontaneously due to climate change (this year’s rainfalls in Greece have destroyed several of their infrastructures) have created several problems, also due to the high visitability and usage of the shelters’ equipment. The fact that these shelters are visited by thousands of visitors but also provide emergency and secure coverage during severe winter conditions, require to be at the best condition possible, both on the buildings but also on the equipment. With the implementation of these actions, the offered services are improved and modernized and the local economy is directly strengthened, from the visitation to the mountain.   

Objectives  

• Strengthening the extroversion of the local economy and encouraging entrepreneurship in terms of quality and sustainability 
• Strengthening the competitiveness of the local economy of the application area, through the modernization, the complementarity of the diversification of the production network and the integration of innovative tools. 
• Improving the attractiveness of the area through the rational management of the natural environment, the development of related infrastructures, the upgrading of the local products and services offered, as well as the preservation and promotion of the cultural identity. 
• Strengthening of cooperation structures and actions that contribute to the development of innovation in the field of technology and energy. 

Actual or expected outputs : The project is a bunfle of 3 different projects. The 1st one Pieria Mt. shelter Ioannis Chasiotis, 1.050 m.) owned by  Greek Mountaineering Association of Katerini, is under re-construction, expecting to finish during the summer of 2024 (due to the weather conditions is not easy to work during winter). The 2nd and 3rd , Olympus Mt. shelters Spilios Agapitos-2.060 m. and Christos Kakkalos-2.648 m., have been evaluated positively and are planned to be implemented during the non-winter periods of 2024 (due to the weather conditions is not easy to work during winter). 

The implementation of the project will create the suitable conditions for the provision of upgraded services to the visitors, secure conditions during winter, energy efficiency (due to P/V systems) and water efficiency (due to rain tanks).  

The role of LEADER in the project (funding, support, networking, etc.) : The implemented action was a funding action. It concerned the upgrading of the buildings, energy and water efficiency measures, with the supply of modern equipment, rescue equipment, weather control equipment. 

Why is this project a priority for LEADER in your strategy? The implementation of the proposed project is consistent with the objectives of the local program as it is covering in full with the thematic direction dedicated to the exploitation, protection and promotion of natural resources, with priority on the exploitation of protected sites and the protection of ecosystems from external threats (mainly from human activity). Also, this thematic action includes the restoration and upgrading of features of the countryside that give added value to the intervention area, as well as environmental awareness actions. 

How did the project address a major challenge in your strategy (e.g. demographic change, environmental issues, social issues)? The specific project addressed one of the three major challenges of our local strategy related to emphasizing the protection and promotion of the natural and cultural wealth of the region. Moreover, it supported the following priority of projects selection: 

• the need to plan and implement significant additional interventions planned for the improvement of basic access infrastructure, the protection, promotion/promotion and utilization of the natural environment of the area, 

How could the project be transferred to other LAGs? There are several mountain shelters in the intervention areas of LAGs in Greece and more importantly in all Europe. The operators of such kind of shelters could implement similar projects in order to ser e needs for renocation, for energy and water efficiency and for equipment modernization. LAG Pieriki has implemented similar projects in previous periods and have created the required know-how for such transfer. More importantly this could be the base for a future cooperation project. 

Pictures 

Agapitos project : 

Chasiotis  project :  

Kakkalos project :  

Greece

Introduction

The solidarity common meals center, named “Our Daily Bread”, is one of the most important services that the local Holy Diocese is carrying out, offering to the needy fellow human beings around 300 portions of food every day (with a possibility to extent to 500), with the decisive assistance of an army of caring volunteers of the rural area of Pieria.

The service implements a decisive social care action, being the only such center of the area, offering meals, especially during outbreaks of social crises, as financial crisis, migration crisis, health crisis. Low or no income citizens of the rural areas, migration flows, inmates of detention units are some of the individuals’ categories that are receiving the food portions, via a wide network of distribution, using owned transportation vehicles and an “army” of volunteers.

Presentation of the project

Project location : The Daily Solidarity common meals “Our Daily Bread” is based in the rural Pieria, at Svoronos village, in land owned by the HOLY DIOCESE OF KITROS, KATERINI AND PLATAMON. Svoronos is a village in Pieria, with 1,948 inhabitants (2011 census). The village is heterogeneous in terms of the origin of the inhabitants, as in addition to locals, there are Pontians and refugees. Several of the residents are farmers and the main crops are tobacco, strawberries, kiwis and livestock breeders.

Elements of context (need for action / problem) : The regional unit of Pieria has faced and is still facing a serious humanitarian crisis. Its victims are first of all a wide range of vulnerable social groups (unemployed, homeless, refugees, needy, etc.), who find it difficult or unable to meet their basic needs for food. The economic climate from 2010 to 2020 and the severe limitations in incomes and social benefits are also squeezing the broad middle classes that a few years ago were experiencing days of prosperity and plenty. Large sections of the population still live in conditions of a new poverty and lack of perspective.

In the context of relief for the above social groups and containment of their basic living conditions, the Daily Solidarity common meals “Our Daily Bread” offer daily to needy and destitute citizens of Pieria, approximately 300 portions of food, constituting a leading structure philanthropy and social welfare.

Objectives :

• Improving the quality of life of the residents by their ensuring economic, social and spatial cohesion, combating economic and social inequalities
• Enhancing the quality of life of the locals through the development of welfare infrastructure since it contributes to maintaining the social cohesion of society as a whole.

Actual or expected outputs : The project has been accomplished and is operating. The implementation of the project has created the suitable conditions for the provision of basic services to the vulnerable group of needy and elderly. In particular, it has upgraded the social services in the field of welfare for vulnerable people who are financially unable to find a solution for their self-care.

The implementation of this project contributed to the fight against social inequalities, to the relief of the weaker social groups of the local population, in order to ensure the basic conditions of comfort and well-being of the residents.

The role of LEADER in the project (funding, support, networking, etc.) : The implemented action was a funding action. It concerned the upgrading of the model structure with the supply of modern equipment. The building infstructure was created in LEADER 2007-2013 programme and the center was operating in the new renovated building with the existing old equipment. This new model structure, with the addition of new equipment, has a specific minimum capacity to provide meals (500 people per day), while at the same time it will be connected to local businesses, schools, the local community, etc. for feeding the beneficiaries. As a result, more than 500 beneficiaries are expected to be served daily, while the possibility for transportation and door-to-door distribution of meals with a special vehicle as well as volunteer vehicles is provided.

Why is this project a priority for LEADER in your strategy? The implementation of the proposed project is consistent with the objectives of the local program as it contributes to the fight against economic and social inequalities and to the relief of the socially weaker groups of the local population and to the creation of appropriate conditions for the provision of basic services and other social services for the rural population and vulnerable social groups.

How did the project address a major challenge in your strategy (e.g. demographic change, environmental issues, social issues)? The specific project addressed one of the three major challenges of our local strategy related to the internal economic and social cohesion. Moreover, it supported the following two envisaged priorities:

• to mitigate the effects of the long-term recession, due to the current economic crisis,
• in ensuring social cohesion and improving the quality of life in the intervention area

How could the project be transferred to other LAGs? With the implementation of the project and the improvement of the existing services provided, the importance of voluntary participation – offering through the broad mobilization of society (citizens and private enterprises) as a constituent element of our culture is highlighted. As such, all areas could replicate the project, to be organised either from similar church institutions or local authorities and their legal bodies. The voluntary movement is presenting an important increase all over Greece and Europe, and as a result such action could be easily transfered. 

Pictures

Germany

Introduction

It all began in the small German village of Deifeld-Wissinghausen. One of its 270 inhabitants was afflicted with a highly aggressive form of lymphoid cancer, and his prognosis allowed for only a scant few weeks. This sparked an enormous grassroots effort for help and support in the village but also a flood of confusing social media sources and rumors. Somebody in the village then took over the initiative to build a web blog to provide clear and official information to coordinate the (in the end very successful) help efforts.

This initiative led to the realization that every village required an efficient communication system, particularly during crises. So out of this truly bottom-up idea became with the help and initiative of LEADER a communication platform in the southern part of the state North-Rhine Westphalia in Germany.

Supported by the cooperation between eight LAGs, the project runs now in over 50 villages. The communication platform consists of individual village websites in combination with an app, that promoted news and events from the websites via instant messages directly to cellphones. The app also functions as a social communication tool in with chat and seek-offer functions.

Presentation of the project

Communication and community life in the villages of South Westphalia revolve around presenting the village and its history, sharing news and events, and fostering a vibrant and modern neighborhood. The project’s objective was to enhance communication in these villages using digital tools, without full digitization, while encouraging real community interaction.

The digital communication technology was enriched with several key components:

1. Editorial Teams: Volunteer editorial teams were formed in the participating villages to oversee the content of Village Pages, ensuring regular updates and website maintenance.
2. Digitalization Mentor: A dedicated project manager provided active support to the editorial teams in communication strategies, organizational and editorial matters.
3. Technical Support: A contracted agency offered technical support, ensuring the smooth operation of the communication platform.
4. By integrating the communication platform with village-level editorial teams, technical support, and guidance from digitalization mentors, the project strengthened social cohesion through digitalization. This approach aimed to bridge the digital gap between urban and rural areas.

The project laid the foundation for numerous regional improvements, encouraging village communities to engage with one another. It established a shared and easily accessible communication structure with customizable development potential. Villages were invited to collaborate on developing digital expansion special need components like mobility services, jobs-boards, volunteer networks or integration of new residents.

The communication technology introduced several ways to enhance the resilience of village communities:

The communication platform facilitated better connections and interactions among village communities. It streamlined the flow of information, essential for addressing challenges effectively and it enables the sharing of knowledge and experiences within and between village communities. Residents gained access to valuable information, learned from successful practices in other communities, and expanded their knowledge base. And last, but not least, the platform plays a pivotal role in crisis communication for village communities since timely information strengthens residents’ ability to respond to crises.

The project emerged in response to genuine needs within the initiating LEADER region, Hochsauerland. This region conceived, implemented, and realized the project, actively promoting it to find cooperating partner regions and engaging participating villages.

The communication app is designed to address challenges in rural community life, bolstering resilience and encouraging volunteerism through several key features:

1. Efficient Communication
2. Connecting Volunteers
3. Event Planning
4. Knowledge Exchange and Resource Pooling

It serves as a platform to acknowledge and appreciate volunteer contributions, boosting motivation for further engagement as achievements are shared among community members.

Moreover, the app has the potential to address various other challenges in our strategy, including economic, leisure and culture development, mobility and public services, climate-responsible environmental resource use and education and Integration of new residents and social groups.

By fostering efficient communication, connection among volunteers, and resource sharing, it becomes a versatile tool that can positively impact multiple facets of community life and development.

The project Wir sind.digital.Dorf! was executed across 51 villages within 8 Local Action Groups (LAGs) between December 2021 and November 2023. A follow-up initiative (Dorf.Connect! – Empowering Rural Resilience Through Digital Communication), featuring novel components, along with a concurrent resilience study, is currently in the planning stages for the period spanning from 2024 to 2027.

The goal of the accompanying resilience study is to produce an interim and a final report to document the knowledge and experiences gained from implementing the communication app in the village communities. This knowledge can then be made available to other communities, organizations, or decision-makers to learn from the experiences and implement similar initiatives in different contexts. An evaluation study can thus support knowledge transfer and the scalability of such projects.

Pictures

Project Video: (with english Subtitles)  https://youtu.be/WiH8yn1e6O8?si=30r7GG7ITMKEfZPJ

Project Flyer:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gwwp1jjzzr7ukue4uz1hq/leporello_wsdd-final.pdf?rlkey=si3pwts59mtkzdlypwe4rmy5t&dl=0

Project Poster:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xto8hqrlokk65j65jqgli/wsdd-plakat-A2-print_1234.pdf?rlkey=w66euqdifebq7368cfwv5h0jf&dl=0

 

Germany

Introduction

CoLabora was an European cooperation project dealing with coworking in rural areas and gathered seven Local Action Groups across the EU, all located in rural areas. The partners were convinced that coworking spaces can contribute to rural areas’ development. This new model of places designed for professionals offers the opportunity to efficiently work where they choose to live, without the need to move away from their rural environment. In that way, coworking helps to maintain the working population in rural areas as well as it encourages new people, keen to a better quality of life, to move in. Moreover, coworking spaces offer digital and technical tools, support to entrepreneurs and a collaborative network of professionals which contribute to stimulate each one’s economic activity. Given these expected positive impacts for rural areas, the seven partners decided to pool their competences and experiences to help each other to go further in the development of coworking. From 2018 to 2022, partners carry out study trips and collaborative work in order to create a methodological toolbox designed to raise awareness of the benefits of coworking in rural areas and enable anybody interested in setting up and running coworking spaces.

Presentation of the project

CoLabora was an European cooperation project dealing with coworking in rural areas and gathered seven Local Action Groups across the EU, all located in rural areas. Among the cooperating regions, there were either areas really close to urban areas or areas located in very rural regions. But coworking was seen as a catalyst for regional development and a chance to stimulate economic development and innovation in rural areas, to attract new inhabitants coming from cities in order to improve their quality of life, to retain people (especially young people) and activities in rural areas, to attract new coworkers in existing coworking spaces and to improve the quality of life for inhabitants, including balance between professional and personal life, new services providing. But cooperation partners were at different stages of developing coworking spaces. Some had already developed several coworking spaces. Others had created a coworking space but without coworkers. And others had not developed coworking spaces.

That is why Colabora aimed to explain the coworking concept and disseminate its benefits and the opportunities but also to get to know and stimulate the community of professionals, freelance and local entrepreneurs, to promote their interrelationship and networking, to develop coworking in rural areas, to extend the provided services by coworking spaces, to formalize a process to create a coworking space, step by step, and providing some concrete tools to manage the coworkers community an to learn from best practice from different coworking spaces in Europe.

CoLaboras’ main result:

• Collection of good coworking examples all over the EU
• Coworking toolkit
• Training modules for community builders
• Compiling the benefits of coworking spaces in rural areas
• Logo development
• Explanatory video on rural coworking in different languages

CoLaboras’ further impacts :

• LAG Pays de Guéret: Hiring a coworking manager
• LAG Association Pieriga Partnership & LAG Zied Zeme: Opening of the co-working space “CoLabora Lielvarde”
• LAG Consorci Intercomarcal d’Iniciatives Socioeconòmiques: Webinars & training for new coworking spaces and elaboration of a new social media campaign
• LAG Leipziger Muldenland: Coworking Network & Pop-up Coworking Test Phase LAG Donegal: Opening of four coworking spaces
• LAG Vale of Glamorgan: Coworking festival

The cooperation project was funded by LEADER as a transnational cooperation project using knowledge transfer, exchanges and study trips to achieve the project goals. The project showed the LEADER added values.

CoLabora helped to create the focus topic “new work/coworking” in the Local Development Strategy 2023-2027 in LAG Leipziger Muldenland which will support rural coworking spaces within the next funding period.

CoLabora helped furthermore to realize a coworking pop-up testing periode during summer 2022 and to create a network of rural coworking spaces in the surrounding of the city of Leipzig. Today three coworking space are open and three more will follow in 2024. Coworking Space owners are meeting regularly in a network run by LAG Leipziger Muldenland. This network allows the local coworking space owners to share experiences and gives the opportunity to organize public relation activities by LAG Leipziger Muldenland for the coworking spaces, like representation on trade fairs, social media marketing, events for interest groups, the production of an image video and promotional materials.

CoLabora helped to show the benefits of rural coworking spaces, convinced the District of Leipzig to write a district wide coworking spaces concept and helped to concretize two planned coworking space projects which are under construction. As a result two old rural buildings both abandoned for more than 20 years will be revived using the CoLabora project experiences and results.

During a study trip of Saxonian LAGs during summer 2023 LAG Leipziger Muldenland presented the CoLabora results. Also several German LAGs are asking regularly for CoLabora results and experiences to transfer parts of the cooperation project to their own area.

For 2024 an ERASMUS+ project is planned to exchange coworkers and owners of coworking spaces. Some CoLabora partners will also be partners of the new ERASMUS+ project.

Pictures

Project video:

German: https://youtu.be/_u5do7DCz6Q?feature=shared French: https://youtu.be/4gXeIcqAM3c?feature=shared

Toolkit:

German: https://www.leipzigermuldenland.de/_project/media/uploads/files/Rural%20Coworking%20G uide%20(DE).pdf

English:

https://uploads- ssl.webflow.com/5e5e5b9d3f2bf9c3d3d51b43/6087ff5b353220f969bb6186_Rural%20Cowor king%20Guide.pdf

France

Introduction

The DITEP (Institut Thérapeutique Éducatif et Pédagogique) cares for young people aged 4 to 18 with behavioural and conduct disorders that seriously disrupt socialisation and access to learning. Demonstrating a keen interest in activities based on the forest ecosystem, the young people at the DITEP Moyembrie have invested in the creation of a labelled hiking trail in the heart of the Saint-Gobain massif, where the Prémontré order was founded and a royal ice-cream factory was set up under Louis XIV. The young people helped to mark out and create the various signs and interactive terminals along the way.

Presentation of the project

The core job of the supervisors is to devise and implement the various mediation techniques required as part of the support project for each child. Young people from the DITEP regularly take part in walks or mountain bike rides in the forest. A discovery class has also been organised to work specifically on the forest environment (recognising tree species, identifying mammal footprints, observing birds/animals to understand the forest food web). The DITEP Moyembrie supervisors were themselves passionate about the Saint-Gobain forest, which is managed by the ONF, and noticed that there was no forestry walking trail starting from the town of the same name. They saw this as an opportunity to help the young people from the DITEP to get involved in a wide-ranging project and to give something back to others, even though they find it difficult to do things for others. The project involved the development of 3 signposted walking trails, with interpretation panels designed by the young people and enhanced by a professional graphic designer. Overcoming their reading and writing difficulties, the young people from the DITEP created botanical terminals, interactive puzzles, quizzes on edible mushrooms, trees, forest animals and birds, as well as information desks highlighting little-known heritage features such as a blockhouse, the Sébourgan quarries, le saut du boiteux and the mysterious standing stones that give their name to the trail. In addition to the funding, without which the project would not have been possible, the LEADER programme provided support for the supervisors, who were discovering both the development of a tourism project and the administrative and financial set-up of a project of this scale. The LAG contributed to the development of partnerships, networking and the promotion of the project. While they have noted an increase in the number of visitors to this little corner of the forest, which now welcomes more groups of walkers as well as a large number of schoolchildren, the DITEP supervisors are above all measuring the impact of the project on the young people who have taken ownership of the trail and become fully involved. In fact, the trail continues to be a key support for educational activities, with the creation of workshops run by the young people themselves to help them develop oral language and self-control, as well as pre-professional workshops to help them maintain the trail.

The emblematic character of the project

The Pays Picard – Vallées de l’Oise et de l’Ailette is an area with a rich historical and natural heritage, which nevertheless needs to be developed and put on the move, which is at the heart of the Local Action Group’s development strategy. While this strategy offers the possibility of creating walking routes in an area of the Axis region that capitalises on outdoor activities, its main ambition is to develop mediation tools, both physical and digital, to bring the heritage to life. The project is innovative in that it is run by a therapeutic institute. The panels are created by children and teenagers with disabilities. The creation of this trail provides an opportunity to work on the young people’s project by giving them the chance to get involved on behalf of others, which represents a challenge for these young people, whose disorders interfere with their day-to-day social relationships. In addition, the visuals on the panels are aimed at both young children (height of writing, presence of pictograms, interactive furniture) and adults, whether readers or not, thus helping to promote equal opportunities, particularly in terms of access to culture and awareness of the importance of respecting and protecting the environment.

Pictures

Institut Thérapeutique Éducatif et Pédagogique (ITEP) Moyembrie

GAL Pays Picard – Vallées de l’Oise et de l’Ailette

Hauts-de-France

France

Introduction

Nicknamed the Land of a Thousand Clays and Sandstone, the Parc du Gâtinais français has been working since 1999 to preserve this rural territory, with landscapes contrasted by forests, agricultural lands, sandstone outcrops and valleys criss-crossed by rivers, some sixty kilometers south of Paris. All these elements have favored the development of gastronomic riches, among which are mixed Gâtinais honey, watercress, quinoa, saffron, or poultry of the Gâtinaise breed. The book Saveurs du Gâtinais thus focuses on offering 60 creative recipes that highlight local productions over the seasons, enhanced by creations by local craftsmen of table art. It also showcases 10 farmers who are passionate about their profession through their portraits. Transversal, this book aims to be a kaleidoscope of emotions to touch the hearts of the readers and invite them to discover an extraordinary space where the issues of nature conservation are paramount. Between a beautiful book in its format and sharing life experience in its form, the book Saveurs du Gâtinais invites the reader to discover a thousand and one emotions over the seasons.

Presentation of the project

Within the framework of its missions to promote local productions, in particular through the development and animation of the brand Values Parc, the Parc wished to create a recipe book highlighting the products, producers, craftsmen and landscapes of French Gâtinais. The aim of this project is to promote the Park’s gastronomic riches, not only locally, but also at regional and national levels, in order to increase the visibility and attractiveness of the Park and its producers beyond its perimeter. This book also represents the symbol of local consumption promoted by the Parc du Gâtinais français, that is to say always encourage consumption in short circuits, give readers the desire to regain the taste of seasonal products and do it yourself, thanks to recipes that are accessible to all. Saveurs du Gâtinais is the first project of this type led by the Park, and allows to complete and expand its communication strategy, already focused on media such as press, documentation and social networks. To carry out this project, the Park collaborated with two local authors, Cindy Geraldo, a resident of Saint-Sauveur-sur-École, who had converted to cooking, and Anne Bourgeois, author of several books, as well as with Éditions des Écrans.

Content of the book: The purpose of the book is to explore the territory of the Parc du Gâtinais français, through portraits of producers engaged in the brand Values Parc, illustrated by photographs, staged recipes, and invitations to the walk with photographs of the territory. The book Saveurs du Gâtinais allows the reader to discover an extraordinary territory where the stakes of preserving a local, diversified and nature-friendly agriculture are essential, while allowing them to create easy recipes to cook from seasonal products.

Thus, the book contains: – 10 portraits of producers engaged in the brand Values Parc; – 60 recipes based on French Gâtinais products. Craftsmen of table art in the Park are also promoted through the photographs of the staging of the recipes: knives, ceramics, wooden objects and glassware thus sublimate the recipes of the work. The book is 260 pages long, and is book-like, with a cardboard cover and certified paper. The recipes are organized according to the seasons. The project has been implemented through three phases:

To carry out this project and create a book in the image of the French Gâtinais, the Parc contributed to the costs of creating the book (drawing up the portraits, creating and writing the recipes, photographs, layout, graphic design). The creation of the content is carried out in partnership between the authors, the publisher and the Park. The Park has carried out research into local family and traditional recipes, editorial and proofreading of content, and networking with local producers.

 Dissemination of the book The objective of the project is to produce approximately 1800 copies of the book, which will be distributed as of October 13. The book benefits from the multi-network distribution system of Editions des Ecrans, in first and second level bookshops, in Ile-de-France and at national level.

Acquisition of copies by the Parc The Parc purchased 400 copies of the work. These books will be available for consultation at the Maison du Parc, will be offered to the general public at Park events (prizes for quiz winners, for example), to the producers and artisans who participated in the work, as well as to the elected representatives and partners of the Park.

Here, LEADER made it possible to carry out the project by granting a grant, and no other grant can finance this type of project. Without LEADER support, the Park would not have been able to carry out and finance this project on its own.

The emblematic character of the project

The local development strategy of the French Gâtinais LAG aims to enhance the rural identity of the territory to make it a driver of social cohesion and well-being. The LAG encourages actions that make it possible to raise awareness and understanding of the region’s iconic productions, as well as trades and know-how, the vernacular building and traditional materials, customs, history and all that characterizes the local heritage. The iconic feature of a recipe book made from local products is its ability to capture the culinary essence of a specific region. The book Saveurs du Gâtinais allows readers to discover the Gâtinais countryside through recipes and portraits of local producers while valuing traditional dishes and local landscapes in an attractive way. To create this book, a work of family and traditional recipes was carried out upstream to give a more personal touch both tasty and culturally significant. Saveurs du Gâtinais is a tool to raise awareness about the consumption of local products: through simple and healthy recipes, requiring few materials and accessible ingredients, the book invites consumers to reconnect their food with seasonal products, to discover the productions of the Gâtinais and encourages them to take the time to cook and share a friendly meal. In this way, it is able to respond to the challenge of redeveloping healthy, local and high-quality food, while at the same time promoting the profession of farmer. This project can be transferred to other LAGs, each Region, each Country has its own recipes, cooking techniques, its own emblematic productions and thus local ingredients. Local and regional recipes are often passed down from generation to generation. By documenting them in a book, we help preserve these precious culinary traditions for future generations. Focusing on local ingredients also encourages readers to support producers and farmers in a region and encourages readers to discover or rediscover a region.

Pictures

Parc naturel régional du Gâtinais français

GAL du Gâtinais français

Ile-de-France