Leaders 2014-2022

From the 2014-2022 Programming Period…

The previous programming period was planned for 2014-2020 and Leader Neighbourhood then worked with funds from both the Rural Development Fund, the Regional Development Fund and the Social Fund. The programming period was then extended for a further two years, but was then limited to only covering the Rural Development Fund.

The association in the previous program period is actually called "Föreningen Närheten" and includes Karlstad, Grums, Hammarö, Kil and Forshaga municipalities. The leader area Föreningen Närheten has been active since 2008. The program period is now over, but the association will continue to work until 2025 to complete ongoing projects and end the program period.

Summary of the Development Strategy for the 2014-2022 programming period

The strategy covers the Karlstad region, which includes the municipalities of Grums, Kils, Forshaga, Karlstad and Hammarö. For the Rural Development Fund, the urban area of Karlstad is excluded, while the Social Fund and the Regional Development Fund cover the entire area. LAG is responsible for implementing the strategy.
(Local Action Group) which consists of representatives from the non-profit, private and public sectors. LAG prioritizes and decides which projects will be implemented with the support of the strategy. Processing, communication, information and daily operations are handled by the office which is responsible for the practical operations. The purpose of the strategy is to guide the LAG's work with prioritization and selection of applications as well as partnerships, communication and fund coordination.

The strategy's vision and focus "Sustainable rural development and increased quality of life - for all" is based on proximity in the area, proximity to nature, proximity to work, proximity between city and country and, not least, proximity between people. The strategy is based on collaborations, networks, increased integration and increased equality to develop the area in the best way possible through the Leader method. The strategy includes the Rural Development Fund (EAFRD), the Social Fund (ESF) and the Regional Development Fund (ERDF). With a multi-fund strategy, there are primarily development opportunities in the work between city and countryside in various ways. In our strategy, we want to emphasize the importance of
the survival and development of rural areas, but also contribute to improved relations between cities and rural areas through, for example, various types of collaborative constellations among companies, organizations, associations and educational centers.

Through the Leader method, we want to achieve the overall goals that include sustainable business development in rural areas, transition to a sustainable society, increased integration, equality, gender equality and more young people in work, as well as an increased quality of life. The strategy's sub-goals are categorized under areas of action that concern the tourism industry, infrastructure and service,
transition, equality, entrepreneurship and association life.