Scottish Government

Foreword

LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement Économique Rurale or Links between actions for the development of rural communities) is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The European (Lisbon) Strategy is based around two key aims of delivering stronger, lasting growth and creating good quality jobs in an environmentally sustainable way. The Programme follows this up through a focus on promoting the following priorities:-

• macroeconomic stability;
• fairness through a modern and flexible welfare state;
• an enterprising and flexible business sector;
• innovation; and,
• acquisition of skills for all.

The main priority under Axis IV ( LEADER) of the Rural Development Regulation ( EC) No. 1698/2005 is to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build human capital, innovate and co-operate in order to tackle local development objectives. In brief the Axis IV outcome is "Innovative Governance and Rural Capacity Building".

The Scottish Government as Managing Authority for LEADER has developed these rules in accordance with EC Regulation 1698/2005 Article 71 paragraph 3 which states:

" The rules on eligibility of expenditure shall be set at national level , subject to the special conditions laid down by this Regulation for certain development measures"

This handbook provides rules, guidance, advice and a source of reference for Local Action Group partners and LAG Coordinators and Administrative staff. The guidance provided should meet the day-to-day needs of staff processing LEADER 2007-2013 project applications and claims, and LAG members appraising and deciding on applications for LEADER support towards a project. However, as no advice can be totally comprehensive, where problems or other issues arise reference should be made to LEADER Team staff in the Scottish Government Rural Directorate, email: leader@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The overriding rule is that work should not have started before approval has been given by the LAG.

Definitions

Terms used in this guidance have the following meaning

• Final Beneficiary - the applicant for and direct recipient of LEADER support from the LAG.
• Participant - person or organisation participating in a training course, grant project or scheme.
• Match funding - own funds, resources or other partner contributions whether public or private.
• Lead applicant - legal entity responsible for application and claim
• Project partner - organisation contributing directly to project delivery
• Project - means a project or investment proposed by an eligible body in an application for LEADER grant;
• Scheme - a means whereby a number of similar small projects may be approved simply and easily by delegated means to an approved body rather than project each having to go through full LAG application and approval procedures. The "scheme" is funded through LEADER and relevant match funding.

Glossary of Terms

The following is an attempt to explain some of the acronyms used in this guidance.