Local Development
Local Developement
Introduction
ERDF Territorial Cooperation
European Rural Development Fund (EAFRD)
Introduction
To implement the 2020 strategy effectively, the European Union has delegated the management of part of its policies and the funds allocated to them to its 28 Member States.
These appropriations, grouped under the name “European Structural and Investment Funds (ESFI)”, relate to three policies :
– social, economic and territorial cohesion policy, financed in France to the tune of €15.5 billion by the “structural funds”: the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
– rural development policy, financed in France to the tune of €11.4 billion by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
– maritime affairs and fisheries policy (which we will not deal with here).
A common strategic framework : 11 thematic objectives and 3 transversal objectives.
Over the period period 2014-2020, the ESF, ERDF and EAFRD structural funds are part of a strategic framework defined by the European Union and composed of 11 thematic objectives (TOs), which are themselves translated into investment priorities for each fund :
TO1 : Strengthen research, technological development and innovation.
TO 2 : Improve access, use and quality of information and communication technologies.
TO 3 : Improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, the agricultural sector and the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
TO 4 : Support the transition to a low-carbon economy in all sectors.
TO 5 : Promote adaptation to climate change and risk prevention and management.
TO 6 : Protect the environment and promote efficiency in the use of resources.
TO 7 : Promote sustainable transport and eliminate bottlenecks in key network infrastructure.
TO 8 : Promote employment and professional mobility.
TO 9 : Promoting social inclusion and fighting poverty.
TO 10 : Invest in education, improve professional skills and continuous training.
TO 11 : Improve the institutional capacity and effectiveness of public administration.
Three transversal objectives are added to these 11 thematic objectives and must be considered in a transversal way in the implementation of each fund :
– The promotion of equality between women and men.
– Equal opportunities and non-discrimination.
– Sustainable development.
A thematic concentration
The strategic framework is common to all European Structural and Investment Funds. However, each fund is required to concentrate a significant amount of its budget envelope on a limited number of thematic objectives according to the principle of “thematic concentration”, for greater efficiency. Therefore :
– The ERDF concentrates its intervention on Objectives 1 to 4, although it is responsible for all the themes.
– The ESF is mainly responsible for Objectives 8 to 11.
– The EAFRD translates the 11 objectives into 6 rural development priorities.
Note : European funds are not intended to finance a project at 100%, but are co-financed. In addition the majority of financing is provided in the form of repayments, which in most cases means that the project leader must be able to pre-finance his project with sufficient cash.
French priorities
A partnership agreement signed between France and the European Union and drafted in close collaboration between the State and the regions, identifies the priorities on which to focus the intervention of European structural and investment funds in France.
Website : for more information on the Structural and Investment Funds in France, visit the Europe in France website : here.
ERDF Territorial Cooperation
The interregional cooperation program between Europe
The INTERREG-EUROPE program is an interregional cooperation program, i.e. cooperation between countries without a common border. It concerns all 28 Member States, Norway and Switzerland and allows regions to cooperate in a network at European level.
Its objective is to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies, in particular the Structural Funds and investment policies for growth and employment, by promoting the capitalization of exchanges of experience and knowledge between local and regional actors and the dissemination and appropriation of good practices throughout Europe.
This program is aimed at public authorities (local, regional, national, etc.), institutions governed by public law and private non-profit organizations.
The priority Axes
Axis 1 – Strengthen research, technological development and innovation
– Improve research and innovation infrastructures and development capacity in research and innovation, promote competence centers of particular European interest.
– Promote R&I investments and develop links and synergies between companies, research and innovation centers, higher education…
Axis 2 – Improving the competitiveness of SMEs
Support the ability of SMEs to engage in regional, national and international markets, as well as their capacity for innovation.
Axis 3 – Support the transition to a low-carbon economy in all sectors
Promote low-carbon strategies for all types of territories, in particular for urban areas, including the promotion of sustainable multimodal urban mobility and relevant reduction measures
Axis 4 – Protect the environment and encourage the sustainable use of resources
– Conserve, protect, promote and develop the natural and cultural heritage.
– Support the industrial transition to a resource-efficient economy, promote green growth, eco-innovation and efficient environmental management in the public and private sectors.
Important to know : cultural and tourism sector: to be addressed from an economic point of view (cultural industries, tourism) or from an environmental point of view (sustainable tourism, preservation of cultural heritage).
Note : Regional policies dedicated to tourism as an economic sector can be addressed in Objective 1.2 dedicated to innovation policies or in Objective 2.1 dedicated to the competitiveness of SMEs. Regional policies in the cultural field can be addressed in Objective 4.1 on cultural and natural heritage policies.
Websites : consult the INTERREG-EUROPE operation program (in EN) here and the program manual (in EN) here.
Funding
The co-financing rate can be up to 85% (for public bodies) and 75% (private bodies). The average amount allocated per project is between €1 and €2 million.
Selection procedure
The Interreg Europe Program Monitoring Committee is the central decision-making body of the program, which meets approximately twice a year. Its mission is to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the implementation of the program. It is the body that decides whether or not to finance a project on the basis of a consensus decision. It is composed of representatives from all countries eligible for the program.
Website : see the list of members : here.
The Managing Authority is the body responsible for the implementation of the program. It is he who signs the contracts with the selected project leaders. For the Interreg Europe program, the managing authority is the Nord-Pas de Calais region.
Special Operating Procedures
– The program operates with calls for projects, each call giving rise to the writing of a reference document setting out specific criteria and conditions for that call.
– The duration of the project is between 3 and 5 years.
– The project involves at least three countries represented, including at least two from the European Union.
For experience exchange projects, the process is divided in two phases :
– phase 1 : exchange of experiences and practices and preparation of an action plan based on the lessons learned.
– phase 2 : implementation of the action plan to improve the effectiveness of public policy instruments.
Contacts & Information
National contact points
Zone Nord de la France / Caroline Gauthier
03 74 27 40 56
caroline.gauthier@nordpasdecalais.fr
Southern France (including Aquitaine, Limousin, Poitou-Charentes)
Patrica DI BIASE / 04 91 57 57 56 06
pdibiase@regionpaca.fr
Regional contact points
Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council
Bordeaux site / European and International Affairs Poles
Directorate of Decentralized Cooperation and Interregional Projects
Jean-Michel Arrivé / 05 57 57 57 82 09
jean-michel.arrive@aquitaine.fr
Joint Program Secretary :
Les Arcuriales – Entrance D, 5th floor
45 rue de Tournai / 59000 Lille – FRANCE
+33 328 144 100
Website : here
Managing Authority
Nord-Pas de Calais Region / Europe Directorate – INTERREG Programs
151 avenue du Président Hoover 59555 Lille
Website : here
Useful Links
Website : official website of the program : here.
Website : agenda of INTERREG Europe events (seminars, information days, annual meetings…) : here.
Website : publications under the INTERREG-EUROPE program : here.
Search for partners
Website : platform of the INTERREG-EUROPE : here.
Website : registration to the INTERREG-EUROPE community : here.
LinkedIn : join the INTERREG-EUROPE group : here.
Good Practices
Website : consult the database of past INTERREG-EUROPE projects : here.
Focus on the “Reverse” project supported under the 2007-2013 Program
Beneficiary : Conseil Régional d’Aquitaine
Grant : €1,935,848 out of a total eligible budget of €2,477,946
Duration of the project : 2 years
Through cooperation, the REVERSE project aimed to improve the effectiveness of regional public policies for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. After sharing their good practices in biodiversity management and natural and cultural heritage conservation during visits and seminars, the participants developed a guide of good practices and an action plan that enabled their work to be disseminated to the regional authorities in charge of public policies.
Website : here.
The cross-border cooperation program between Spain-France and Andorra (POCTEFA)
POCTEFA co-finances cross-border cooperation projects designed and managed by actors located in a vast area including the entire Iberian Peninsula and the great southwest of France. It finances actions in the fields of innovation, environment, accessibility, new information technologies and urban development.
For the Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes region, this program only concerns the department of Pyrénées Atlantiques.
The priority axes
Axis 1 – Boosting innovation and competitiveness : 26,32%
– Strengthen cooperation on R+D+I,
– Foster the development of innovative technologies in the field of natural ressources,
– Promote joint actions for the development of international companies.
Axis 2 – Promoting adaptation to climate change and risk prevention and management : 15,04%
– Improving the adaptation of territories to climate change,
– Improve the capacity to anticipate and respond to specific risks and natural disaster management.
Axis 3 – Promoting the protection, development and sustainable use of local ressources : 25,38%
– Enhance the natural and cultural heritage (also intangible, cf. UNESCO) through joint approaches to sustainable development: management and enhancement networks, rehabilitation or creation of reception facilities, awareness-raising and education programs, innovative actions, joint tourism strategy (structuring the offer, improving facilities and organization, creation and promotion of cultural and tourist products, reception).
– Protect and improve the quality of transboundary ecosystems.
Axis 4 – Promote the mobility of goods and people : 13,16%
Improve the supply of sustainable cross-border transport to facilitate the movement and cross-border mobility of people and goods.
Axis 5 – Strengthening skills and inclusion within the territories : 14,10%
– Promote the endogenous potential, the development of training systems and the skills of people in the cross-border territory in order to improve access to employment: mutual knowledge of the labor market, cooperation for training, cross-border employment
– Improving access to services: strategy to improve access to public cultural and recreational services, information, awareness and dissemination of recreational and cultural services, shared management of infrastructure and cultural/leisure services…
Website : consult the INTERREG V A Spain-France-Andorra Program (POCTEFA) 2014-2020 : here.
Funding
Financing up to 65% of the total budget presented per project. A minimum of 10% self-financing is required for each beneficiary. The minimum total cost of expenses for a project is 80 K€. Eligible projects may not receive funding from other Community programs and their duration may not exceed three years.
Project Selection Procedure
The program works on calls for projects. A program monitoring committee decides on the appropriate type of call for projects based on the progress of the program. The calls for projects may be organized in 1 or 2 phases.
After passing the administrative review, the projects deemed admissible will be the subject of a technical appraisal to be carried out by the Joint Secretariat.
A programming committee is responsible for the selection of operations. Its composition and the functioning of the programming committee are defined in internal regulations. The Committee shall draw up a consensus opinion on the projects to be selected.
The managing authority ultimately decides on the projects selected.
Note : It is necessary to involve at least one partner from two of the three countries concerned (excluding cross-border organizations).
Contact & Information
Managing Authority
In Spain
Consorcio of the Pyrenees Working Community
Joint Secretariat of the Managing Authority
INTERREG V A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA) 2014-2020
Edificio IPE building
Avenida Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, 8
E- 22,700 JACA (HUESCA) SPAIN
+34 974 36 31 00
info@poctefa.eu
In France
Prefecture of the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées Region
General Secretariat for Regional Affairs – European and International Affairs Mission
1, Place Saint Etienne 31038 TOULOUSE Cedex 9
+33 5 34 45 33 34
Contacts :
Christel Genon – European and decentralized cooperation researcher
christel.genon@midi-pyrenees.pref.gouv.fr
Fabien Pichon – Chargé de mission European and international affairs
fabien.pichon@midi-pyrenees.pref.gouv.fr
Territorial Program Coordinators – West
Department of Pyrénées Atlantiques – Bayonne Delegation
Development Department – Cross-border Service
4, allée des plane trees BP 431
64 104 BAYONNE Cedex (France)
+33 5 59 46 51 31
Eva Lamothe
eva.lamothe@le64.fr
Christine Saraiva
christine.saraiva@le64.fr
Useful Links
Website : official website of the POCTEFA program : here.
Website : guide for project leaders : here.
Focus on the “Ballet T” project
ERDF fund – 2007-2013 program
Grant : €199,282 out of a total estimated cost of €306,587
Beneficiary : Centre Chorégraphique National Malandain Ballet de Biarritz
The project finances the structuring of BALLET T, a cross-border choreographic center, in order to strengthen the professional development of choreographic creation in the Euroregion while raising public awareness by creating common information and communication tools. To this end, promotional activities and professional support for artists are organized during joint festivals, but also a public awareness program (lectures, choreographic workshops, rehearsals open to the public, open classes, meetings with artists, screenings…). Finally, a shared information campaign provides better visibility and circulation of audiences throughout the territory.
Website : consult the project presentation on the POCTEFA website and on Malandain ballet : here.
Focus on the “HITO – Creative Tourism in the Pyrenees” project
ERDF fund – 2007-2013 program
Grant : €522,764 out of a total estimated cost of €804,253
Beneficiary : European incubators for young artists
Based on cooperation between local actors in Aragon, Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées, HITO aims to support the actors involved in a new approach to the enhancement of the Pyrenean heritage, by implementing a cross-border network of artists’ residencies, the starting point for artistic discovery tours. A cooperation platform and a label are set up as well as artistic paths of in situ discovery. Around the project are also actions of skills transfer (seminars, workshops…) and communication in order to motivate a wide audience.
Website : see the project sheet in the catalogue of supported projects : here.
The SUDOE Transnational cooperation program
The South West European SOUTHERN program supports cooperation between regions in four Member States: Spain, France, Portugal and Gibraltar. Its objective is to consolidate territorial cooperation to solve problems common to the regions of South-West Europe in the fields of SME competitiveness, research and innovation, the fight against climate change, the low-carbon economy, and the environment and resource efficiency.
In France, the eligible regions are Aquitaine, Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Midi-Pyrénées and Poitou-Charentes.
The priority axes
Axis 1 – Promoting innovation capacities for smart and sustainable growth : 36%
Tourism and creative industries sector identified as priorities.
– Strengthen the synergistic and networked functioning of R&D at transnational level in specific sectors of SUDOE based on intelligent specialization: cooperation platform, European Innovation Partnership, technology transfer and innovation management model…
– Develop the dissemination of applied research in relation to key generic technologies (KCTs): value chains, multi-CCT actions and projects, dissemination…
Axis 2 -Stimulating the competitiveness and internationalization of SMEs in South-West Europe : 14%
– Capacity development for the improvement of the business environment in the SUDOE region.
– Improvement and increase of the internationalization opportunities of SMEs.
Axis 3 – Prevent and manage risks more effectively : 12%
Improve energy efficiency policies in public buildings and housing through networking and joint experimentation.
Axis 4 – Protect the environment and promote ressource efficiency : 20%
– Improve methods of managing the common natural and cultural heritage through networking and joint experimentation: sustainable development and environmental impact, knowledge of the common heritage, creation and promotion of tourism products based on this heritage…
– Strengthen the cooperation of managers of natural areas in the SUDOE through the development and implementation of joint methods.
Website : consult the SUDOE guide for project development and management and presentation of the program’s intervention logic : here and here.
Funding
Co-financing rate up to 75% of the total project budget (except in the case of state aid).
Project Selection procedure
This program works on calls for projects. Consult the provisional timetable for these calls : here. Examination of the application files is carried out in several stages and is carried out by the joint secretariat and the national authorities of each SUDOE Member State.
Phase 1 of the call projects
– The Joint Secretariat analyses all project applications received according to the eligibility criteria defined by the program.
– The file is co-initiated by the national authorities and the joint secretariat. Each file receives a score from 0 to 5. Only the best applications are submitted to the programming committee for an opinion.
– The Programming Committee, composed of representatives of each Member State on the program, the certifying authority, the managing authority and the European Commission (in an advisory capacity), delivers a first opinion.
Phase 2
At the end of the second phase of the call for projects, the application files will be re-examined according to the same process followed during the first phase. The programming committee will again be asked to give its opinion on the applications. The Managing Authority takes the final financing decision.
Contact & Information
French national authorities
Prefecture of the Midi-Pyrénées Region
Fabien Pichon / 05 34 45 45 33 55
fabien.pichon@midi-pyrénées.pref.gouv.fr
Midi-Pyrénées Regional Council
Philippe Peries / 05 61 39 39 67 21
philipe.peries@cr-mip.fr
Managing authority
Comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria
Dirección General de Economía y Asuntos Europeos
Plaza del Príncipe 4, 2ª planta
39003 Santander
Juan Llanes Cavia / +34 942 31 84 20
aug@interreg-sudoe.eu
Conjoint Secretary (Santander)
Comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria
Dirección General de Economía y Asuntos Europeos
Plaza del Príncipe 4, 2ª planta
39003 Santander
+34 942 23 84 28
stcsudoe@interreg-sudoe.eu
Note : It is also possible to fill out an assistance form to obtain specific information about your project : here.
Useful links
Website : the official website of the program : here.
Subscribe to the newsletter : Sudoe Newsletter : here.
Search for partners
Consult the existing ideas : here, or propose your project idea : here.
Participate in the days, working groups and seminars organizes by the SUDOE program : here.
Good practices
Consult the list of programs supported under the 2007-2013 program : here and under the 2014-2020 program.
Focus on the “Smart Heritage Buildings” project
Fund concerned : ERDF
Beneficiary : Fundación Santa María la Real Centro de Estudios del Románico
Partners : 5 including the NOBATEK Technology Resource Centre in France
Grant : €642,717.98 out of a total eligible cost of €856,957.31
Duration : two years / from 11/01/2012 to 12/31/2014
The SHBUILDINGS project proposes a change in the conservation of historic buildings, promoting preventive conservation, focusing on economic efficiency, energy optimization and sustainability. To achieve this, the project aims to produce integrated technological tools, based on sensors, the Internet of Things and cloud computing. After a phase of studies on the different types of buildings and historic districts, the project participates in the development of intelligent prediction, evaluation and management tools and the implementation of use management and preventive conservation modules hosted in a Cloud computing application.
Website : consult the project sheet on the official SUDOE website : here.
Focus on the “Arquivia” project
Fund concerned : ERDF
Beneficiary : Agencia de Desarrollo del Bidasoa, S.A.
Partners : three partners in Spain and Portugal
Grant : €540,000.00 out of a total eligible cost of €720,000
Duration : 1 year and a half / from 07/01/2009 to 12/31/2011
The ARQUIVIA project aims to stimulate the local and regional development of the SUDOE region by developing a stable innovation structure for a new transnational tourist and cultural offer based on the medieval cultural heritage. The project thus aims to establish a new brand through the consolidation of a system of transnational cooperation around a series of Associations of Networks of Medieval Cities and Towns in the participating countries and a network of transnational cooperation between institutions, companies and citizens (Poles of Tourism Innovation).
Website : consult the ARQUIVIA project sheet : here and here.
The Atlantic area transnational cooperation program
The Atlantic Area Programme supports cooperation activities between 38 Atlantic regions from 5 Member States: France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The general objective is to promote the sustainable and balanced development of this area and its maritime heritage by implementing solutions to meet regional challenges and improve the quality of life in the territories. As such, the program supports initiatives in the fields of innovation, resource efficiency, environmental protection and the promotion of natural and cultural assets. Many cultural projects are funded by this program.
Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes are eligible.
The priority axes
Axis 1 – Stimulating innovation and competitiveness : 34%
Tourisme and creative industries sector identified as priorities :
– Strengthen innovation capacities through cooperation to foster competitiveness,
– Support the transfer of innovation results to facilitate the emergence of new products, services and processes.
Axis 2 – Promote ressource efficiency : 21%
– Promote renewable energies and energy efficiency.
– Promote Green Growth, eco-innovation and environmental efficiency.
Axis 3 – Strengthen risk management systems : 11%
Strengthen risk management system.
Axis 4 – Promote biodiversity and natural and cultural assets : 28%
– Improve the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services,
– Enhance natural and cultural assets to stimulate economic development: territorial development and marketing, preservation, events and activities, cultural tourism and cultural industries, enhancement of cultural creation in other sectors, development of tourist sectors and products, management and exchange of know-how…
Website : consult the Atlantic Area Operational Program 2014-2020 : here.
Funding
The co-financing rate of a project may be up to 75% of the total budget for all four priority axes.
Website : get to know more about the topic : here.
Selection procedure
Projects are selected on the basis of calls for projects : here.
After the submission of applications on the Collaborative Communication Platform (CCP), they will be verified for eligibility by the Joint Technical Secretariat, as well as evaluated according to the selection criteria set out in the Operational Program and the Applicant Manual.
The Monitoring Committee, composed of representatives of the five Member States, the regions, the program authorities and advisory representatives of Community and national bodies as well as organized civil society, deliberates on the selection of project applications, taking into account the eligibility and selection reports produced by the Joint Technical Secretariat in collaboration with the National Correspondents of each Member State.
Contact & Information
National correspondent in France
Prefecture of the Pays de la Loire region
Bertrand Tourillon
Head of the European Funds Control Office
General Secretariat for Regional Affairs
6, quai Ceineray BP 33515 44035 Nantes Cedex 1
+33 (0)2 40 08 64 38
bertrand.tourillon@pays-de-la-loire.pref.gouv.fr
www.pays-de-la-loire.pref.gouv.fr
Institutional partners of the Program
Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council
Bordeaux site / European Cooperation Unit / Multilateral relations
Sheila Zecovic / 05 57 57 57 80 27
sheila.zecovic@aquitaine.fr
www.nouvelle-aquitaine.fr
Managing authorities
Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N)
Rua Rainha D. Estefânia, 251
4150-034 Porto Portugal Portugal
+351 226 086 300
atlantico.ag@ccdr-n.pt
www.ccdr-n.pt
Joint Secretary
Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N)
Rua Rainha D. Estefânia, 251
4150-034 Porto, Portugal
+351 226 086 300
atlantico.stc@ccdr-n.pt
Useful links
Website : the official website of the program : here.
Website : the website of the Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities, territorial cooperation network : here.
Website : Atlantic Arc Commission website, the interest group of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions : here.
To go further
Website : consult the other strategic documents of the Atlantic Area Program : here.
Search for partners
Website : consult the “Project Ideas” inventory : here.
Website : consult the partners’ exchange : here.
Good practices
Website : consult all the projects supported under the Atlantic Area Program 2007-2013 : here.
Website : consult all the projects supported under the 2014-2020 Atlantic Area Program : here.
Focus on the “Ecosal Atlantis” project
Fund concerned : ERDF
Beneficiary : S.X. para o Turismo from Xunta de Galicia
Grant : €1,988,820 out of a total budget of €3,059,724
Partners : 12 partners including the Communauté de Communes de l’Île d’Oléron
The ECOSAL ATLANTIS Projet aimed to develop sustainable and integrated tourism based on the cultural and natural heritage of the traditional salt growing areas of the Atlantic coast and centered around three key areas : heritage, territorial development and eco-tourism. The cooperation of its participants had four objectives : to establish guidelines for the management of this type of heritage, to promote salt works through the networking of actors and the promotion of transnational actions to support, to restore traditional salt works habitats and to contribute to a better understanding of these areas through the production of information and awareness actions around this unique heritage and its enhancement.
Website : consult the project : here.
European Rural Development Fund (EAFRD)
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the second pillar of the common agricultural policy, supports rural development by contributing to the development of territories and a better balance in the agricultural sector, more climate-friendly, more competitive and innovative.
Its objectives are to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and climate protection, and ensure the balanced development of rural economies and communities. In this sense, it primarily concerns cultural projects developed in rural areas.
Program architecture : 6 priorities and 9 measures
- Encourage the transfer of knowledge and innovation.
- Improve the competitiveness of all types of agriculture and strengthen the viability of agricultural holdings.
- Promote food chain organization and risk management in the agricultural sector.
- Restore, preserve and strengthen ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry.
- Promote resource use and support the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors.
- Promote social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.
To implement these priorities, the European Union has established 19 measures, which themselves include operational sub-measures. In France, the State and the regional councils have agreed on a National Orientation Framework. On the basis of their territorial diagnosis, each Region, which is the managing authority for the EAFRD, establishes priorities for action and selects a number of operational measures and sub-measures that respond to these priorities in a Regional Rural Development Program.
To learn more about the architecture of the program, consult the EAFRD fact sheet, produced by Europe in France and the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry .
The management bodies of regional development programs (RDPS)
A single monitoring committee for the six ESF/ERDF Operational Programs and the Rural Development Programs of the EAFRD of the Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes region is organized annually. Chaired by the President of the Aquitaine Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council, it monitors the progress of the implementation of appropriations and approves any changes to programs or program complements.
Inter-fund facilitation committees made up of the program’s privileged partners meet every quarter. They are forums for debate on the progress of programs in all components of their management (financial, administrative, evaluation, communication, etc.)
Three dematerialized Regional Programming Committees (RPCs) are responsible for giving an opinion on the dossiers to be selected for ESF, ERDF and EAFRD funds (bimonthly and simultaneous meeting, possibility of a monthly meeting for the EAFRD depending on needs). These regional programming committees are co-chaired by the Regional Prefect and the President of the Regional Council and involve the Departmental Prefects, the Presidents of the General Councils, the representative of the program’s paying authority (often the Regional Paymaster General) and the departments responsible for implementing the various program measures.
The LEADER approach
Within the program, measure 19 is devoted to the LEADER approach: “Linking Rural Economy Development Action”. This measure aims to encourage local actors in the implementation of original, high-quality integrated sustainable development strategies aimed at testing new forms of development.
Each Region selects, upon application, a certain number of existing organized territories, the LAGs “Local Action Groups”, which are allocated a specific budget envelope from EAFRD funds. Each LAG develops a local development strategy based on the specific needs of its territory and sets out a detailed action plan and specific objectives to be achieved. It selects the operations to be financed there. It becomes the delegated management authority for the financing of projects on its territory in this capacity.
To apply for Leader funding from an LAG, the lead partner must ensure that the project is in line with the LAG’s local development strategy and submit a project sheet directly to the LAG facilitator.
For more information, visit the Leader France website – association of LAGs in France.
Website : Leader France : here.
The rural development programme in Aquitaine :
– Support for farms located in areas with natural handicaps,
– Installation and transfer of operations,
– Preservation of the environment and encouragement of agro-ecology,
– Competitiveness and adaptation of agricultural holdings and enterprises,
– Basic services to the population and rural tourism,
– The environmental and economic development of the forest resource.
Twelve measures of the rural regulation will be mobilized to meet the various needs identified at regional level.
Among these measures, actors in the cultural, tourism and leisure sector are particularly likely to respond to the operations of measure 7 “Basic services” which is one of the five most important of the program (8% of the budget).
This measure includes the following sub-measures :
– 7.1 : Support for the establishment and updating of development plans for municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic services, as well as protection and management plans related to Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high natural value.
– 7.4 : Support for investment in the establishment, improvement or development of basic services at local level for the rural population, including cultural and recreational activities, and related infrastructure.
– 7.5 : Support for public investment in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small-scale tourist infrastructure.
– 7.6 : Assistance for studies and investments related to the maintenance, restoration and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and sites of high natural value, including socio-economic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions.
Website : consult the 2014-2020 Rural development programs in Nouvelle-Aquitaine : here.
The LEADER approach
The priorities :
– The territorialization of the economy, in particular: the circular, local, social and solidarity economy.
– The territorial attractiveness and vitality of the social link, in particular: service, culture, heritage.
– The dissemination of digital services and uses based on digital territorial strategies.
– The energy and ecological transition of the territories and in particular the natural and environmental heritage.
Funding
– The intervention rate is a maximum of 53% of total public aid.
– The project must have 20% self-financing.
The project leader must make a cash advance: the payment of Leader grants comes when the project is completed and the project leader has received all the compensation (other public grants).
List of GAL 2015-2020 Aquitaine
- Country of the Great Bergeracois
- Pays de l’Isle in Périgord
- Black Perigord Country
- Country Périgord vert
- Country of the Heart Between Two Seas
- Pays du Bassin d’Arcachon and Val de L’Eyre
- Pays du Haut Entre Deux Mers / Territoire Sud Gironde
- Territorial centre of the Great
- Libourne region
- Country Adour Landes Océanes
- Country Landes Nature Silver Coast
- Syndicat Mixte de la Haute Lande
- Country Adour Chalosse Tursan
Agenais region - Country Val de Garonne Guyenne Gascogne
- Country of the Lot Valley
- Pays d’Albret – Porte de Gascogne
- Country of Lacq Orthez Béarn des Gaves
- Leader Basque Mountain
- Oloron and Haut Béarn region
- Medoc Countries
- Pays de la Haute Gironde
Contact & Information
Several contact points are possible for project leaders.
Managing Authority
Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council
Bordeaux site / Agriculture and Sustainable Development Division Tourism
Service Europe EAFRD / Rural Measurement Unit and Leader
Julien GAURY, Unit Manager
05 57 57 86 85
julien.gaury@laregion-alpc.fr
laregion-alpc.fr
Aquitaine Countries and Districts
87 quai de Queyries 33100 Bordeaux
05.56.90.81.00
pqa@aquitaine-pqa.fr
aquitaine-pqa.fr
Useful links
Website : the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region : Europe in Aquitaine : here.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine countries and districts, regional ressource center on territorial development : here.
Good practices
Website : consult examples of projects supported by the Leader approach over 2007-2013 : here.
Website : consult the list of projects supported by the EAFRD program in France (attention : this list also includes aid under the EAGF, European Agricultural Guarantee Fund).
Focus on the “Make your cinema, intermunicipal festival of youth cinema in the heart of the country between two seas” project
Program : Leader 2007-2013 program
This project made it possible to organize an intermunicipal film festival for young audiences by pooling the skills of different structures from the fields of children, culture and education. Several issues were at the heart of the project: offering quality film production to children, opening up a space for exchanges and family encounters, enhancing local heritage by offering the viewer an original projection setting.
Website : consult the project experience sheet : here.
The rural Development program in Limousin
The intervention logic of the program in Limousin is based on supporting the development and maintenance of viable and sustainable economic activities in the region in order to preserve a rich and diversified natural heritage, the main attraction of the Limousin region.
Regional priorities
– Preserve quality landscapes and natural environments in mountain areas and disadvantaged areas by supporting agriculture and forestry.
– Make rural areas more attractive by developing basic services and enhancing the territory’s natural and cultural potential.
– Develop the competitiveness of agricultural, forestry and agri-food businesses.
– Controlling greenhouse gases and adapting to climate change.
Website : consult the Limousin Rural Development program on 2014-2020 : here.
The LEADER approach
– increased throughput : support for the development of local digital infrastructures and the development of uses.
– the development of culture, sports, heritage and tourism (activities and facilities).
– the territorial innovation approach on the main themes of territorial policies: the ageing well sector, the social and solidarity economy, the green economy, adaptation to climate change (notably methanization projects), territorial food strategies, the maintenance and reception of populations and activities, territorial approach to employment and training, time policy, gender equality.
List of GAL
- GAL Pays de Tulle-Vézère-Monédières
- GAL Pays de Haute Corrèze – Ventadour
- GAL Pays de la Vallée de la Dordogne Corrézienne
- GAL Sud-Ouest Creuse Leader (S.O.C.L.e)
- GAL Pays de Guéret
- GAL Pays de Combraille en Marche
- GAL Chestnut Limousin
- GAL Pays du Haut Limousin
- GAL Pays de l’Aurence, de l’Occitane et des Monts d’Ambazac
- GAL Mountains and Dams
Contact & Information
Managing Authority
Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council
Limoges site / Europe International Cooperation Delegation
Managing Authority Service
Marie Darlet POSTE / EAFRD Referee
05.87.21.30.35
m-darlet@laregion-alpc.fr
laregion-alpc.fr
For specific questions relating to the domain of Territorial Development
Spatial Planning Pole
Simonnet Marine / EAFRD Referee
05.87.21.30.25
m-simonnet@laregion-alpc.fr
For specific questions related to the economic sector
Economy Division
Julia Manaquin / EAFRD Referee
05.55.21.20.17
j-manaquin@laregion-alpc.fr
You can also contact the Leader Project Manager of the Local Action Group in your area.
Useful links
Website : consult the website of the Limousin Region : strategic documents of territorial policy : here.
Website : Europe in Limousin : lists of projects that can be supported : here.
Good practices
Website : consult the list of projects supported bu the EAFRD program in France (attention : this list also includes aid under the EAGF, European Agricultural Guarantee Fund): here.
Focus on the “Territories and adapted tourism” project
Program : 2007-2013 LEADER
Grant : €5537 out of a total budget of €12585
Beneficiary : Federation Châtaigneraie Limousine
The objectives of this project were to raise awareness among tourism and leisure stakeholders of the issue of accessibility and to strengthen the territorial approach around a tourism offer adapted to all. This project resulted in the creation of a toolbox and the organization of an eductour to raise awareness among stakeholders. An inventory was also carried out to locate and inform the public about the accessible offer. Finally, two adapted tourist products were created and tested.
Website : consult the project experience sheet : here.
The Poitou-Charentes rural development program
The priority axes
– Develop sustainable agriculture and forestry that is economical in terms of inputs and respects natural resources and resources.
– Guarantee a diversified primary sector that is economically and environmentally competitive and provides jobs, in particular by maintaining livestock farming.
– Ensure the installation and renewal of generations in agriculture.
– Enhance local and quality production to strengthen the link between producers and consumers and support the development of a modern, innovative and territorially based agri-food industry.
– Encourage innovation, training and knowledge transfer.
– Maintain a resilient dynamic economy in rural areas and an adapted supply of basic services.
14 measures are open under the Poitou-Charentes rural development program.
Website : visit the Europe en Poitou-Charentes website : here.
Among these measures, actors in the cultural, tourism and leisure sector are likely to respond to the operations of measure 7 “Basic services”, whose priority is given to :
– 7.1 : Support for the establishment and updating of development plans for municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic services, as well as protection and management plans for Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high natural value.
– 7.3 : Support for broadband infrastructure, including its establishment, improvement and development, passive broadband infrastructure and the provision of broadband access and e-government solutions.
– 7.4 : Support for investment in the establishment, improvement or development of basic services at local level for the rural population, including cultural and recreational activities, and related infrastructure.
– 7.5 : Support for public investment in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small-scale tourist infrastructure.
– 7.6 : Assistance for studies and investments related to the maintenance, restoration and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and sites of high natural value, including socio-economic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions: the rehabilitation or restoration of built elements.
Website : consult the Poitou-Charentes 2014-2020Regional Development Program : here.
The LEADER approach
19 local action groups for the period 201-2020 :
- GAL Ruffécois
- GAL Charente Limousine
- Anglophone LAG
- GAL South Charente
- GAL Royan Atlantique
- GAL Rochefort Océan
- GAL Saintonge Romane
- GAL Haute Saintonge
- GAL Vals de Saintonge
- GAL d’Aunis
- GAL Marennes Oléron
- GAL Nord Deux-Sèvres
- GAL Gâtine
- GAL Mellois
- GAL Châtelleraudais
- GAL Haut Poitou and Clain
- GAL Six Valleys
- GAL Civraien
- GAL South East Vienna
Website : consult the distribution of funding : here.
Contact & Information
Depending on their theme, EAFRD files are examined by the Departmental Directorates of the Territories, the DRAAF or the DREAL. The Region will not examine requests for EAFRD assistance, but will rely on the services of the State. However, the EAFRD service in the region can direct you to the right contact person and answer your questions about the program.
Managing Authority
Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Regional Council
European Regional Fund Poitou-Charentes / EAFRD Service
Aurélie Bertrand, Head of Department
05 17 84 30 23
a.bertrand@laregion-alpc.fr
Isabelle Georges, Leader Project Manager
05 17 84 30 23
i.georges@laregion-alpc.fr
Information on the Leader program for LAG facilitators : here.
Useful links
Website : Europe in Poitou-Charentes : here.
Good practices
Website : consult the list of projects supported bu the EAFRD program in France (attention : this list also includes aid under the EAGF, European Agricultural Guarantee Fund) : here.
Focus on the @rchipelago project in the Rochefortais country
Program : 2007-2013 Leader Program
This project aimed to network actors through a network of digital public spaces to ensure a coordinated offer of learning and use of ICTs in the region. It has given rise to the creation of a framework structure that supports and creates projects related to information and communication technologies on the scale of the Pays Rochefortais territory, with the mission of making equipment available to the public, introducing the remote public to computer practices and exchanging experiences, transferring knowledge, through the network of volunteers of the @rchipel association.