The overall aim of the Scottish Leader+ Programme is:

 

To pilot and communicate an innovative approach to rural development that will promote the sustainable, environmental and social development of Scotland’s rural communities

 

The Leader+ Programme for rural Scotland comprises measures that relate to the four core themes of the Leader+ Initiative:

 

·        The use of new know-how and new technologies to make the products and services of rural areas more competitive

·        Adding value to local products, in particular by facilitating access to markets for small production units via collective actions

·        Making the best use of natural and cultural resources, including enhancing the value of sites of community interest selected under NATURA 2000.

·        Improving the quality of life in rural areas

 

 

In Scotland there are 13 individual Leader+ Action Groups (LAGs) as follows:

 

Ø      Argyll, The Islands and Lochaber

Ø      Cairngorms

Ø      Dumfries and Galloway

Ø      East Fife

Ø      Lomond & Rural Stirling

Ø      Moray

Ø      North Highland

Ø      Northern Isles Leader+ Partnership

Ø      Rural Tayside

Ø      South Lanarkshire Rural Partnership

Ø      Scottish Borders

Ø      Tyne/Esk (East Lothian/Midlothian)

Ø      Western Isles, Skye and Lochalsh                                

 

Leader+ Groups must observe the following principles:

 

·        A bottom-up approach – opportunities will be identified, themes selected and development strategies formulated at a local level.

 

·        Pilot Actions – strategies must embody originality and experimentation within their local contexts.  Particular projects implemented within local strategies should show an element of originality or experimentation where possible, and potential relevance to mainstream activities.  Projects should also demonstrate an innovative approach for their area.

 

·        Mainstreaming – where pilot projects are successful, consideration will be given to how they might be mainstreamed.  This may involve accessing alternative sources of funding to develop the project further at a local level, or to transfer the approach to other areas.

 

·        Equal Opportunities – equality of opportunity will be safeguarded and promoted in the broadest sense of the term as defined in Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam.  LAGs, however, will focus on the Target Groups as defined in the Programme.

 

·        Environmental Sustainability – all projects must be environmentally sustainable. [Examples of actions that have contributed to sustainable rural development under previous LEADER programmes are available from the LEADER+ European Observatory]

 

·        Sustainable Development –projects must demonstrate economic, environmental and social sustainable development although it is recognised that this might not be relevant in some small-scale projects.

 

·        Transferability – whilst LAGs will focus on implementing their development strategies, they should ensure that the methods they develop are transferable to LAGs in other areas.  Lessons learned from projects, whether success or failure, should be recorded and transferred to other groups in Scotland and to the UK and European networks.

 

·        Joint project – there will be a strong emphasis on LAGs working together (at times in partnership with national and regional organisations) to develop and pilot innovative approaches to rural development.

 

·        Networking – all LAGs will participate in a strong network within the United Kingdom and the European Union to enable them to learn from each other, share experience, and develop joint projects.  Also, opportunities will be taken to develop productive relationships with comparable areas and agencies elsewhere in the world.