To contribute to creation of a supportive environment for further functioning of the LEADER approach what ensures sustainable development and modernisation of Moldovan rural areas 

The main aim of the action is to create a supportive environment for further functioning of the LEADER initiative in the RM as an approach that ensures sustainable development and modernisation of rural areas in the RM. Therefore the action will be taken at the central level (advocacy and support for central authorities, improved legislation) and the local level (further development of LAGs’ capacities through practical measures: implementation of LDSs, role-models etc). Financial support for the rural communities is the essential part of the proposed action.

Final beneficiaries: 32 LAGs will benefit from the capacity building, institutional development and local development instruments, and also the innovation and funding opportunities. Approx. 600.000 residents of the underdeveloped and marginalised rural areas will benefit from improved local governance through the activities of their LAGs. 5 new LAGs will be created covering rural population of 75.000 people.

The rural population in Moldova will benefit through consolidating the LEADER approach and transforming it into the public policy for rural development. Also is planned to strengthen the National LEADER Network in the Republic of Moldova as one of the main actors for sustainable rural development in the country.

• Projects activities:
• Setting up an Action Management System;
• Launching and managing financial support to the third parties:

1. EU-LEADER Rural Development Fund (800 000 EUR for suporrting approx. 20 LAGs);
2. EU-LEADER Flagship Initiatives Fund (200 000 EUR to support approx. 8 flagship rural development projects);
3. EU-LEADER Rural Development Fund – LAG Innovators;
4. EU-LEADER Partnership Fund (40 000 EUR);
5. Strengthening the role of the National LEADER Network in providing technical assistance and mentoring for the Moldovan LAGs and increased role of the LAGs as community-led local development actors:

1. Creation of the Regional LEADER Network Contact Points;
2. Organisation the LEADER Forums /(at least two);
3. Technical assistance for LAGs: standartisation og the LEADER methodology, legal dcouments and internal procedures and support in implementation of the LDSs;
4. Sharing Moldovan LEADER experience with rural localities not covered by LEADER initiatives and assistance in creation new LAGs;

• Ensuring a dialogue with the national stakeholders on designing, implementing and monitoring rural development policies:

1. preparing expertise on legal status of LAGs, and recommendations for law amendments;
2. elaboration of policy papers, and recommendations on rural development;
3. organising experience sharing & peer-review events for rural development stakeholders.

• To ensure visibility and experience exchange of the implementation of the EU-LEADER approach in Moldova at both national and international levels:

1. organising the EU-Moldova LEADER Conference;
2. organising experience-sharing events on non-EU LEADER experience;
3. elaboration of the position-paper on non-EU LEADER experience and promotion.

Implementing capacity building and mentoring programmes to strenghethen the capacities of the LAGs in planning management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the LDSs.

To improve the living conditions and increase the attractiveness of rural areas through implementation of the LDSs and empowering the LAGs as community-led local development actors;

To strengthen the capacities of LAGs through increasing the role of the National LEADER Network in providing technical assistance and mentoring for LAGs, as well as in stimulating innovative solutions for rural development;

To ensure a dialogue with the national stakeholders on designing, implementing and monitoring rural development policies. Outcome;

To ensure visibility and experience exchange of the implementation of the EU-LEADER approach in Moldova at both national and international levels

To create role-models of managing innovative instruments for sustainable rural development by LAGs.

Expected outputs:

approx. 250 local projects implemented on the 20 LAG territories;

at least 8 LEADER flagship projects implemented addressing inclusive economic growth of the rural areas;

at least 20 LAGs built up their capacities in managing community-led local development processes;

regional offices (Balti, Cahul, Comrat) of the National LEADER Network function and able to provide technical assistance and coaching to the LAGs;

at least 20 LAG-partnership projects implemented;

at least 5 new LAGs created;

expertise on the LAG legal status and recommendations for MARDE developed;

3 policy papers on rural development published and widely distributed;

field visits for rural development and agriculture stakeholders and also development partners conducted to share the Moldovan LEADER experience;

EU-Moldova LEADER Conference organised;

at least 1 common event to share the non-EU LEADER experience organised;

joint position-paper on the non-EU LEADER experience, and recommendations written and published;

experience-sharing visit to Brussels organised.