The LEADER Experience Exchange: Cooperation, held on 3 and 4 March in Segovia, Spain, brought together representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs), rural development networks, institutions and organisations from across Spain and Europe to explore opportunities for cooperation within the LEADER framework. Organised by the Spanish CAP Network of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the event aimed to strengthen collaboration between territories, share experiences and encourage new partnerships for rural development.
This experience exchange event served as an important international networking and exposure opportunity for the Gozo Action Group Foundation, which participated as the only representative from Malta, allowing it to showcase its work while exploring potential cooperation opportunities with other territories. The GAGF’s delegation was formed of Chairman Mr David Apap Agius, Vice-Chairman Mr Raymond Xerri, DC Secretary Mr Paul Scicluna and Manager Mr Pierre Louis Attard.
The first day focused on presentations and discussions around the current state of LEADER cooperation in Spain and Europe. The programme opened with institutional remarks and an introduction to the activities of the Spanish CAP Network related to LEADER. Participants were then presented with an overview of cooperation initiatives at national level, followed by contributions from the European CAP Network and representatives from other Member States, who shared perspectives on the development of LEADER and community-led local development in their respective countries.
The agenda also highlighted examples of good practices in LEADER cooperation, showcasing completed projects and the lessons learned from inter-territorial and transnational collaboration. In addition, several ongoing cooperation initiatives seeking partners were presented, covering themes such as generational renewal, cultural identity, ecotourism and smart rural living, including the Gastronomy themed Transnational Cooperation Project which GAGF needs to implement as part of CAP SP 2023-2027. This was presented by GAGF Manager Mr Pierre Louis Attard.
The day concluded with the LEADER Cooperation Agora, an interactive session in which participants worked in thematic groups to present project ideas, exchange experiences and explore possibilities for new cooperation projects. During the session, a number of LAGs expressed interest in potentially partnering in GAGF’s gastronomy-themed Transnational Cooperation Project.
On 4th March, the programme continued with a field visit to cooperation projects in the municipality of Otones de Benjumea in the province of Segovia. The visit provided participants with a practical perspective on rural development initiatives supported through the LEADER approach.
During the visit, participants learned about entrepreneurial initiatives presented by women entrepreneurs, including a natural cosmetics project and a family-run agri-food business dedicated to the artisanal production of hams and sausages. The programme also included a presentation of the “Living Museums” cooperation project, which focuses on promoting rural heritage and cultural initiatives through collaborative networks.
The visit concluded with guided tours of the Ethnographic Museum of Otones, which preserves objects reflecting rural life from the mid-19th century to the 1960s, and the Pedagogical Museum, which houses a large collection of educational materials documenting the evolution of schooling from the 19th century to the early 21st century.
Together, the conference sessions and field visits offered participants both a strategic and practical view of LEADER cooperation, highlighting how collaboration between territories can support innovation, entrepreneurship and the preservation of rural heritage.
