The Leader approach under the Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013
The Leader approach is a delivery mechanism under the new Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2007-2013. Also known as Axis 4, the Leader approach is not a scheme, fund or set of objectives, but is a method of harnessing local knowledge to enable a “bottom up”, community led approach to delivery of RDPE funding in rural areas. The Leader approach can be used to deliver a range of Programme objectives, and will help achieve integration.
Each Member State has some flexibility in how the approach is used within the guidelines set out by the EU Commission. In England, the Leader approach will be targeted on rural areas with particular needs or priorities, as identified by regions in their Regional Implementation Plans.
How will Leader operate?
Leader will be implemented through Local Action Groups (LAGs), which should represent public and private partners and local interest groups. Local Action Groups can be existing partnerships set up under previous LEADER programmes; existing partnerships set up for another purpose but which follow the Leader principles; or be a completely new partnership. The Local Action Groups should be broad, covering all sectors of the local society and economy. The Leader delivery approach can be aligned with other initiatives, such as Local Area Agreements.
LAGS will develop and submit Local Development Strategies which will set out their plans for their areas, including selection criteria for local projects. The Selection Panels for LAGs will include representatives from the Regional Development Agencies, which are responsible for the overall management of the delivery of the Leader approach, Natural England and the Forestry Commission. Once the groups are selected, they will be responsible for delivering against their Local Development Strategy, selecting and funding projects which best meet the priorities for their area and support the delivery of their Strategy.
For further details, please see the detailed “Notes on the implementation of the Leader approach”.
Available budget
The Leader Approach will deliver a minimum of 5% of the EU funds within the RDPE. This means a minimum of £105m across the country.
Cooperation
Cooperation is a key part of the Leader approach. This encourages and supports Local Action Groups to undertake a joint action with another LAG or similar group in another region, Member State or third country. LAGs are encouraged to incorporate cooperation into their Local Development Strategies from the outset. Cooperation is expected to add value to the Leader approach, obtain access to information and new ideas, learn from other areas, stimulate and support innovation and improve skills and delivery. Learning from cooperation projects will be spread amongst other LAGs, reaching those without such experience, in order to share the benefits of the learning acquired.
Timetable for selection of Leader Local Action Groups
Each region has its own timetable for the Leader selection process. Please see individual RDA websites for more information on regional delivery of the RDPE and the Leader approach and application forms and detailed selection guidance:
East of England Development Agency
East Midlands Development Agency
North West Regional Development Agency
South East England Development Agency
South West of England Regional Development Agency
Further information
The Leader approach is now be a delivery mechanism for RDPE funding, incorporating the learning from previous experience under three successful rounds of Leader as a programme in its own right: LEADER I, LEADER II and LEADER+,
RDPE Notes on the implementation of the Leader Approach 
[174 KB] (includes RDA contact details)
EC Fact Sheet: The Leader Approach – A Basic Guide
Page last modified:
7 February, 2008
Page published: 21 July, 2005