LEADER Axis

 The overall objective of Axis IV – LEADER consists in starting up and operation of local interest initiatives, using the “bottom up” approach through involvement of local actors in the development of their own regions.  
The “bottom up” LEADER approach is a method that allows local actors to determine the needs of the area they come from and to contribute to its territorial development from economic, demographic, educational, cultural, etc. point of view, by means of a locally elaborated and implemented development strategy. Development of rural regions through Axis IV – LEADER shall be planned and coordinated by local actors whom shall be the decision factors, and whom shall also be responsible for the evolution in time of the delimited regions in which they shall carry out their actions.
The actions financed through LEADER approach are integrated, coherent actions that lead to the diversification and development of the rural economy for the benefit of communities. Also through Axis IV – LEADER shall be financed the institutional construction for elaboration and implementation of integrated strategies that shall enable the actors from rural areas, representing different fields of activity, to collaborate and interact for the benefit of rural communities. The objectives of LEADER Axis shall be implemented “step by step”, at first being oriented towards training activities of the local actors and supporting/assisting the territories in order to draw up their development strategies. Local Action Groups are entities representing public-private partnerships, set up from representatives of the public, private and civil sector, coming from a homogenous rural area. LAG’s shall have to fulfill many requirements regarding their structure, the covered regions, and they shall have to implement an integrated strategy for the region’s development.
Actions to be undertaken within Axis IV are synthesized in 3 measures, namely:
Measure 41– Implementing local development strategies;
Measure 421– Implementing cooperation projects;
Measure 431 – Running the local action groups, skills acquisition, and animation of the region.