1. Key messages about local development and CLLD in this country
Local development processes started in Portugal’s rural areas intrinsically linked to the LEADER approach in the beginning of the 90s. Throughout the different generations of the LEADER initiative, the local development associations were the managing bodies of the Local action groups, making them part of the implementation system. From 2007 on, the EFF Axis 4 FLAGs were created, partly managed by the same associations, partly manged by new associations/bodies in coastal areas.
In the setting of the 2014-2020 period Portugal, CLLD can be funded from all the four ESI Funds which allow this approach: EAFRD, EMFF, ESF and ERDF.
3. Possibility of multi-funding (linking several Funds in one strategy)
Portugal decided to split CLLD into “rural”, “urban” and “fisheries”, with multi-funded strategies (EAFRD/ERDF/ESF for the rural LAGs, ERDF/ESF for the urban LAGs, EMFF/ERDF/ESF for the FLAGs). The challenge lies in the different delivery systems of the Funds.
It was expected that rural and coastal LAGs would add support from the regional ERDF/ESF programmes to their strategies. However, it was not possible to design one strategy only in an area which is both rural and coastal. Territories with both rural and coastal intervention areas have to implement two (overlapping) multi-funded strategies.
Thus, there is little scope for an integrated approach and lack of coordination among managing authorities of the different Funds.
4. Number of LAGs
Fund | Number of LAGs using this Fund | |
Multi-funded | Mono-funded | |
EAFRD | 178 | |
EMFF | - | |
ESF | 156 | |
ERDF | 178 | |
Total number of LAGs | 178 | |
Planned allocation at programme start. The ESF is currently used by 151 LAGs.
178 LAGs were successful from the 179 LAGs that applied for support through the CLLD. Most LAGs focus on drawing funds under the CLLD initiative. However, many LAGs developed individual projects supported by various funding instruments. The activities of the LAGs are selectively supported by the governments of the Regions (NUTS 3) (mostly for operational costs). However, some Regions also support the LAGs to establish so-called “small LEADER” – a grant scheme to support small projects and events (especially for non-profit organisations and associations, which are difficult to support under the CLLD).
5. Purposes, objectives for which CLLD is used
The purposes and objectives of CLLD are linked to topics that the LAGs can financially support based on national level definitions. In the case of the Integrated Regional OP (ERDF), most LAGs have included investments in: education (modernisation of classrooms, expanding the capacity of kindergartens), traffic safety (especially sidewalks), social services (mainly social service buildings), and cycling.
The Rural Development Programme focused on support for agricultural and non-agricultural businesses and agricultural products. For the OP Employment (ESF), the LAGs were most interested in supporting social inclusion, however, other themes were also widely supported (pro-family measures, employment growth).
6. State of play
Most LAGs started to fully implement CLLD in 2018, as the evaluation of CLLD Strategies (approval of LAG support) by the Ministry of Regional Development was completed in 2017. In many LAGs, almost all allocated funds are already used up to support local projects. At the end of 2019, there were 6,600 supported projects in the implementation stage and 3,900 supported projects completed. Only a few cases are known of LAGs which have not yet been able to support local projects. LAGs submitted Mid-term evaluations by 30 June 2019 with only one LAG failing to do so.
7. Key achievements so far
Apart from the number of supported projects or finance, any report showing the specific impacts of CLLD implementation on a factual level has not yet been published. LAGs appreciate that the situation has stabilised after a preparatory “uncertain” period. Most of LAG representatives have learned to work with the CLLD initiative and carry out the necessary administrative and animation activities. LAG representatives are aware that they can support the territory with a significant amount of funding, which is provided by the three funds. Compared to previous periods, support through CLLD applies to almost the entire, potentially eligible, territory of Czechia. Gradually, the key role of the Ministry of Regional Development as a managing authority was established, and this is expected to be further strengthened in the next period.
8. Key barriers encountered
The LAG managers perceived the most important barriers of CLLD implementation to be the very tight definition of LAG activities, limited fulfilment of local needs and solution of local problems, and strict administrative and procedural conditions. Managers experience the different rules in the various programmes to be very limiting (e.g. designing calls for funding). According to the managers, the needs of the area, which are described in the CLLD strategy, cannot be met as they would like, because they feel that there is no funding for the necessary topics and that the conditions within the calls for the application of subsidies are too restrictive. Another reason for the discrepancy between the needs and the offered solution is the time span from the creation of the strategy, approval and its possible implementation (changing needs of the territory over time). In applying the LEADER method, LAGs also associate obstacles with staff numbers. Although they are able to carry out activities related to the implementation of the CLLD strategy, they have no time capacity for activities related to the principles of the method (insufficient capacity to coordinate and meet with actors). According to the managers, the application of the method is further hindered by the difficulties in supporting innovative and “non-standard” projects. These types of projects do not meet the strict conditions of the calls, although they should be the essence of the LEADER method.
9. Some national specificities
The Czech model is characterised by the following:
- Fragmented structure – relatively small LAGs.
- Non-selective support of LAGs (almost all LAGs were selected to support and implement CLLD).
- Total coverage of the territory of Czechia (LAGs implementing CLLD operate on 95% of the territory that can be part of a LAG).
- A significant influence of public sector representatives (especially mayors) in the partnerships.
- Use of the CLLD initiative in three funds with a significant amount of resources.
- Need to know three different sets of procedures and rules due to the use of EAFRD, ERDF and ESF.
- Rather marginal support for non-profit organisations and associations.
A mix of top-down and bottom-up practices, i.e. a significant influence of managing authorities on the implementation of CLLD.
October 2020
Main author: Ondřej Konečný
Series coordination and editing: Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Stefan Kah, Haris Martinos
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.