Leader

Locally led development through Leader means that you get involved in the development of your area and can receive support for your development projects. Leader is a method where the private, non-profit and public sectors work together to contribute to local development.

What is Leader?

Leader is a method for rural development that was introduced by the EU in 1991. The method focuses on local ownership, initiative and commitment. The idea is that development of your particular place is most effectively carried out by those of you who live and work there – by you, your association, local businesses and other organisations. You are the ones who know what needs and challenges need to be met.

Film – We are Leader Sweden

Local Development Sweden (LUS) has launched a film to spread knowledge and inspiration about Leader.
The film spreads knowledge about what a Leader project can be, but will also inspire interested rural residents to seek contact with Leader areas around Sweden. 

To Leader Sweden

What does Leader mean?

Leader is an abbreviation of the French phrase Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale. That means Coordinated activities for rural economic development.

Financing

Leader support, which is distributed to various projects, comes from the EU (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development), the Swedish state, municipalities and sometimes regions. During the period 2023–2027, there is a total of approximately SEK 1.7 billion to strengthen the competitiveness and development of Sweden's rural areas through Leader.

Who can apply for leader support?

Support can be sought by associations and companies as well as other organizations.

Project support can be applied for by organizations and associations. It is for projects with broad support that benefit many people or the general public.

Project support for companies is aimed at organizations and companies. This support should benefit one or a limited number of actors. It could, for example, involve developing a product or service.

Leader areas in Sweden

To ensure a local focus, the Leader method is operated in geographically defined areas, so-called Leader areas. To form a Leader area, local actors from the non-profit, private and public sectors must come together and work towards a development strategy. This should be based on the needs and conditions of the specific area. The strategy describes, for example, what needs to be done to increase employment, attract more new companies and make the area attractive and competitive.

The local development strategy forms the basis for the Leader area's budget, a budget decided by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. From the Leader area, residents and businesses in the area can apply for money to run projects. Projects that are granted support must contribute to achieving the goals in the development strategy. Each Leader project can thus be seen as a piece of the puzzle that, together with all other projects, contributes to fulfilling the area's goals and vision.

There are 40 leader areas in Sweden, and if you count them throughout the EU, there are over 3,500. All leader areas are their own associations and you can easily search for your area at leadersverige.se

Leader Sweden

Impact of some Leader projects that have been implemented in Sweden

Leader Lappland 2030
Voices from a bookstore

The bookstore in Lycksele becomes the arena where young people can express themselves, influence, and organize – for example through their own podcast, democratic conversations, a Pride festival, and other activities that they themselves can shape.

Leader Närheten
Digitalt kartverktyg - Energigemenskaper

Ett samarbetsprojekt i Leader Närheten och Leader 7-sam för att underlätta att skapa energi-gemenskaper på landsbygden!
Photo by Philippe Oursel on Unsplash

Leader Södermanland
Tillräckligt Bra

The project aimed to reduce mental health issues among young people. By strengthening their self-esteem and self-confidence, the project owners, Kungsör Riding Club, wanted to give the youth a stable foundation to stand on. The project's goal was to arrange a series of meetings where both young people and leaders received concrete tools and examples for personal development and to improve the operations.

Astrid Lindgren's hometown
Åsen 2.0 – Enhanced experience

The village of Åsen is developing the visitor experience by creating more period-typical living environments and improving access to nature around the cultural reserve.
bild-på-ordet-hip-hop-kanske-projekt-pennysound

Leader Bergslagen
Pennysound Bergslagen

The goal of the Pennysound Bergslagen project is to set up a studio and establish activities for young people in Bergslagen, northern Örebro County.

Leader Skåne Mid Northwest
Between the Lines – small-scale agroforestry for sustainable food production and preparedness

Through the project, Holma Folk High School wants to develop a model for small-scale agroforestry. They aim to lay the foundation for an agroforestry system and establish a plan for how this will be managed after the project is completed.

Leader Sörmland Coast
Alchemillas distillery

A feasibility study on how to start a distillery

Leader Grogrund
Meeting place Verket

The project aims to create an open and inclusive meeting place where both young and older people can meet on equal terms, focusing on promoting spontaneous sports.

Leader's Seven Basic Principles

1) Bottom-up perspective

The ideas come from those of you who live and work in the area.

2) Local perspective

The ideas have local roots and take into account local strengths, opportunities, resources and challenges.

3) Three-way partnership

Actors from the public, private and non-profit sectors collaborate.

4) Local strategy

The initiative is in line with the local development strategy.

5) Network

The effort contributes to creating new networks.

6) Innovation

The initiative is new to the applicant or the area.

7) Collaboration

Several actors are collaborating to implement the initiative.