Image: leaders
The 2023-2027 funding period was officially launched with the official recognition of the LEADER regions by Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP), Minister for Regions. The district of Vöcklabruck is strongly represented with the LEADER regions of Attersee-Attergau (regatta), Fuschlsee-Mondseeland (FUMO) and Vöckla-Ager. The three regions now look after 51 municipalities in the district, so LEADER is anchored almost everywhere in Vöcklabruck.
The EU-wide funding program was already established in the early 1990s. The aims of the programme, which is financed to 62 percent from EU funds, are, among other things, to increase the quality of life in the regions and to promote togetherness. The ideas for the projects come from the people in the regions and the benefits remain in the regions. “The European idea becomes visible to everyone in the form of implemented LEADER projects, they are a valuable contribution to regional development,” says Nicole Eder (ÖVP), Mayor of Steinbach am Attersee and chairwoman of the regatta. What is new is that projects on climate change, circular economy and bioeconomy are also to be supported.
Each region is based on a joint local development strategy drawn up with the population. The goals defined therein, including in the areas of regional value creation, sustainable cultural and natural areas, sensible tourist infrastructure and necessary social offers, determine the orientation for the coming years. “The LEADER program has developed further in recent years and the funding supports the diverse topics and ideas that clubs and communities in the Vöcklabruck district want to implement,” says Doris Staudinger (ÖVP), Mayor of Schwanenstadt and Chairwoman of the Vöckla region -Ager. These goals are now to be brought to life through projects. The regions have a total of around five million euros available for this in the district until 2027.
The first projects can be implemented from autumn. The target group for the program are people who want to actively help shape regional development. What is unique about LEADER is that personal contact persons are available quickly and unbureaucratically for the respective concerns. “The EU funding program LEADER is a one-off because we can easily support projects with clear added value for the region and its population,” emphasizes Elisabeth Höllwarth-Kaiser, Mayor of Oberhofen am Irrsee and FUMO Chairwoman. Interested parties are cordially invited to contact the LEADER regions with their ideas.
Source: Nachrichten
