Leader Programs in Hungary

10 years of Theory and Practice

Eszter VargaHungarian Agricultural Economics Research

InstituteDepartment of Rural Policy Research

Main topics of the Presentation

Theoretical background Timeline Some figures Evaluation

o Planningo Implementation

Criticisms in the light of the EU experiences

Theoretical background

7 Key features of the LEADER

Steps of Implementation• Capacity building• Bringing together local actors• Territory analysis• Identifying existing activities• Creation of partnership• Preparation of local development strategy

Timeline

Timeline of the LEADER Program

Some Figures

 Experimental

LEADER(2001-2004)

AVOP LEADER+(2004-2006)

ÚMVP LEADER(2007-2013)

Resources National EU + National EU + National

Planned allocation per LAG (million HUF)

25-30 90-100 1.200**

% of LEADER allocation int the whole program (%)

– 4,5 5,5

Number of Supported / Applying LAGs

14 / 40 70 / 187 96 /98

Number of Supported / Submitted local development projects

274 / n.a. 2530 / 3609* n.a. / 4171

Settlements covered 182 944 3021

Some Figures of the LEADER Program (2001-2010)

Evaluation

Planning

• Pre-pepared menu• Basic infrastructural needs• Lobby interests (agro-, spatial & rural

development)• Not properly adjusted application system• Lack if international cooperations• Desired roles of the center: framework setting,

assisting• Participation in planning (inclusion, neglect)

Implementation

• Complicated system for little gain (sum of money)

• „EU money is for free” mentality• Pressures (lack if time)• Uncertainty (decreasing, increasing)

o not adequate legal frameworko Operation of LAGs

The two rural development subsystems

Criticisms in the light of the EU experiences

Budget

Planned LEADER budget (2001-2013)

Experimental

LEADER (2001-2004)

AVOP LEADER+

(2004-2006)

ÚMVP LEADER

(2007-2013) Resources National EU + National EU + National LEADER total allocation (million €) – 19,156 272,356 LEADER total allocation (billion HUF)*

n.a. 4,885 73,781

% of LEADER allocation int the whole program (%)

– 4,5 5,5

Planned allocation per LAG (million HUF)

25-30 90-100 1.200** * 270,9 HUF/EUR árfolyamon számolva ** Becsült átlagos érték