LEDA

The LEDA, Local Employment Development Action programme, was an EU funded action research programme. It operated from 1986 to 1996.

LEDA supported different types of local areas (rural/underdeveloped, urban/industrial decline) to develop their own responses to employment and economic development challenges, by providing international and (through small grants) local expertise and animation support, and by promoting the exchange of experience and knowledge between the participating areas.

In its 1st phase (1986-1990) the programme promoted networking activities between the participating areas and gradually a fully functioning network with more than 25 areas was in operation.

During its 2nd phase (1991-1996), the LEDA network more than doubled covering new member states (AT, FI, SE) and the future enlargement countries in Central/Eastern Europe.

Area based approaches, local strategies and local partnerships emerged as key features of the development philosophy of LEDA as “learned” from the participating areas. This marked a transition from isolated local employment initiatives or strategies to attract large foreign investment into restructuring or underdeveloped areas. The programme “nourished” new ideas and supported them with practical tools (local development workbook, international summer schools, collaboration with business management schools, etc.).

LEDA was initiated and overseen by John Morley, head of policy unit in DGV of the EC. It was managed by LRDP under contract with the EC. Haris Martinos headed the programme (jointly with Jean-Pierre Pellegrin, on secondment from the OECD’s LEED programme, during the 1st phase of LEDA).

The LEDA network continued to operate without EU support (and participating areas continued to collaborate) after the end of the programme and well into the 21st century, having formed their own independent association (LEDA-partenariat). Rosalba La Grotteria was the last president of the association.