The LEADER Programme (LEADER – Liaison Entre Actions de Dévelopement de l’Économie Rurale) was established in 1991 and is financed through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). It was introduced locally in the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP). The program operates at the local level, emphasizing a bottom-up approach to rural development. LEADER aims to support small-scale community projects that are innovative, increase the capacity of local rural communities and business networks by building knowledge and skills, and encourage innovation and cooperation to address local development objectives.
The LEADER Programme involves the creation of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in specific territories. These LAGs are composed of public and private organizations from rural villages, ensuring broad representation across various socio-economic sectors. Through the EAFRD, LAGs can apply for financial assistance in the form of grants to implement their Local Development Strategies. These strategies are designed to tackle the particular needs and challenges of each territory, with a focus on implementing small-scale projects that have a positive impact on the local community. Locally, there are three territories each covering several localities, with each territory having its own Local Action Group (LAG). The LAG’s in Malta are the GAL Majjistral Foundation, the GAL Xlokk Foundation and the Gozo Action Group Foundation, each LAG manages the LEADER funding for its respective territory. For each territory, the funding priorities are listed in a Local Development Strategy.
The Gozo Action Group Foundation has been operating since 2008 with the aim of implementing the LEADER programme in the Gozo territory of Malta. The Gozo territory consists of 14 Gozitan villages, as well as Comino.
The foundation consists of 14 Gozitan Local Councils that are represented on the Decision Committee by three representatives, the general business sector which is represented by the Gozo Business Chamber, the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Confederation of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Gozo NGO Association. Other organisations are eligible to join the Foundation as long as the Decision Committee accepts their application.
The GAGF territory adds up to 70.5km2. In total, as per the latest Census of Population and Housing 2021 by the National Statistics Office (NSO), there were 39,287 residents in the GAGF territory.
| Public Members | Website |
| Fontana Local Council | https://fontanalc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Ghajnsielem Local Council | http://www.ghajnsielemlc.com/ |
| Gharb Local Council | https://www.gharbnet.com/ |
| Ghasri Local Council | https://ghasrilc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Iz-Zebbug Local Council | http://www.zebbuggozo.com/ |
| Ta’ Kercem Local Council | https://kercemlc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Munxar Local Council | https://www.munxar.com/ |
| Nadur Local Council | https://www.nadur.gov.mt/ |
| Qala Local Council | https://qalalc.gov.mt/en/ |
| San Lawrenz Local Council | https://sanlawrenzlc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Sannat Local Council | https://sannatlc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Victoria Local Council | https://victoria.org.mt/ |
| Xaghra Local Council | https://xaghralc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Xewkija Local Council | https://xewkijalc.gov.mt/en/ |
| Private Members | Website |
| Gozo Business Chamber | https://gozobusinesschamber.org/ |
| Gozo NGO Association | https://gozongos.org/ |
| Gozo Tourism Association | https://www.islandofgozo.org/ |
| Gozo Confederation of Agriculture & Fisheries | https://www.facebook.com/p/Gozo-Confederation-for-Agriculture-and-Fisheries-100064819535454/ |
| MRC Audit |
