Information about Leader Bergslagen to the municipality's decision-makers
Leader Bergslagen is a non-profit association that has been implementing rural development since 2007 in the municipalities of Fagersta, Hällefors, Norberg, Lindesberg (except Fellingsbro), Ljusnarsberg, Ludvika, Nora, Skinnskatteberg, Smedjebacken and Surahammar. Members of the association are municipalities, associations and companies. Read: https://leaderbergslagen.eu/om-leader-bergslagen/
During the 2014–2020 programming period, our area became one of five areas that not was prioritized and our operations were run at a reduced pace over the years. In 2021, representatives from across the area participated in developing a development strategy. It can be read here: https://leaderbergslagen.eu/remiss/
The strategy was approved and in June 2022 the Swedish Board of Agriculture announced that Leader Bergslagen would become one of the new Leader areas for 2023–2027. We were allocated a budget of SEK 41,237,500. Of this amount, 67 % consists of money from the EU + national allocation. The remaining 33 % consists of other public support, i.e. co-financing from all member municipalities. The co-financing requested from the municipalities will be the same as the last time we carried out project activities and the increase is only an index adjustment.
Distributed per inhabitant, this amounts to SEK 24 per year. This money is increased by implementing Leader projects throughout the area, in all municipalities. The final report from 2015 shows how the Leader budget was distributed across 400 projects and sub-projects. Particularly popular were the ”Quick Money” checks that associations could apply for to realize ideas. Leader Bergslagen will be able to offer these checks in the upcoming program period. Companies can also apply for project support these days.
Eligible beneficiaries are municipalities, regions, associations, other organizations and companies that are active within the Leader Bergslagen area. To get an indication of what expenses it is possible to apply for project funding, read on the Swedish Board of Agriculture. https://jordbruksverket.se/stod/lokalt-ledd-utveckling-genom-leader/stod-for-projekt-och-samarbeten-inom-lokalt-ledd-utveckling It states, among other things: ”You cannot receive support for things that authorities, the state, regions and municipalities are responsible for by law."”. On Leader Bergslagen's website there is information for those who want to know more about how project financing works. https://leaderbergslagen.eu/information-om-leaderstod/
Leader is implemented throughout the EU and has proven to be an effective method for contributing to local development and an attractive rural area. Three-way partnership between non-profit, public and private interests ensures a broad base in different parts of society. The bottom-up perspective ensures that initiatives and project prioritization are implemented at the local level to stimulate commitment, innovation and locally adapted solutions.
Leader Bergslagen's vision is "Together we make Bergslagen a better place to visit, live and work.".
We have chosen the following overall goals to work towards to achieve the vision:
- Strengthened entrepreneurship
- Increased quality of life
- Protect the environment
To achieve the goals and vision in the strategy, we have identified three areas of focus in which development efforts will take place. It is within these areas that it will be possible to apply for EU funds for development projects according to the Leader method.
- Promoting entrepreneurship in Bergslagen
- Improve living conditions for the people of Bergslagen
- Protecting nature in Bergslagen
To get in touch with the association, email business developer Vivi Båvner. vivi@leaderbergslagen.eu or call one of the board members: Contact.
There are also contact persons for Leader in each municipality. The list may change, but as a first step, you can contact the following people.
förnamn.efternamn@kommunnamnet.se
Fagersta: Tobias Back, head of business, 0223-440 83
Hällefors: Camilla McQuire, Business Manager, 0591-641 28
Norberg: Ylva Jóhannesson, business developer, 0223-290 10
Lindesberg: Martina Björck, business and rural development developer, 0581-810 96
Ljusnarsberg: Mikael Haapala, business manager, 070-3160502
Ludvika: Lena Kansbod, service and rural development developer, 0240-860 76
Nora: Cecilia Lundkvist Sundin, business developer, 070-320 47 00
Skinnskatteberg: Robert Brinck, business developer, 0222-51 56 50
Smedjebacken: Roger Sjöberg, business manager, 0240-66 01 80
Surahammar: Maria Granberg, business developer, 0220-390 61