The LEADER Approach

Why is LEADER specific?

THE SEVEN SPECIFIC FEATURES OF LEADER

5. Networking

The LAG is a network itself but it should also look around and cooperate with other development organisations on local, regional, national and international levels.

Networking is a means of transferring good practice, of disseminating innovation and building on the lessons learned from local rural development. Networking forges links between people, projects and rural areas and so can help overcome the isolation faced by some rural regions. It can help stimulate co-operation projects by putting LEADER groups in touch with each other.

"The quest for linkages and synergies between different sectors, strands of activities and thematic networks of actors brings forth a new appreciation of the interrelationships and reciprocities between the parts and the whole. In other words, the local actors are encouraged to adopt a systematic view on problems, potentials and solution paths. Often, a quality assurance and branding strategy can act as a powerful lever to bring actors within one sector, but also across sectors, together." (Lukesch & Schuh 2007)