Thousands of SMEs are waiting for the Joint Ministerial Decision, expected to be signed in October, for participation in the LEADER/CLLD 2023-2027 programme. In the meantime, the Development Companies have already started the procedures for setting up the Programme Management Committees (PMCs).
The First Management Committee Meeting
The Development Company of Parnonas S.A. A.O.T.A. held the first meeting in Leonidio Arkadia for the establishment of the LEADER NAP LEADER SA CAP 2023-2027. This committee will be responsible for making decisions on the management and implementation of local programmes.
Budget and Investment
The LEADER 2023-2027 programme has a total budget of €236 million, which will be invested in the following sectors:
- Public local infrastructure
- Manufacturing, craft and cottage industry
Once the 50 local programmes have been approved, the official notices will follow. Each region (Community or Action Group) will define its own Local Development Strategy, based on the general framework adopted by the EU.
Areas of assisted investment
The aid will be directed to strategic areas such as:
- Processing of agricultural products
- Tourist activities: Modernisation of overnight accommodation establishments and the establishment of new ones in mountain areas and small islands
- Dining and entertainment: Establishment and modernisation of businesses in the catering, tourism and leisure sectors
- Crafts and handicrafts: Support for enterprises for production after first processing
- Services to the local population
- Businesses promoting energy and water saving
- Bio-economy and circular economy
Education and Training
The programme also supports education and training activities for the local population, focusing on basic digital skills and other issues arising from the local development strategy.
Networking and Cooperation
LEADER 2023-2027 places a strong emphasis on cooperation between local businesses and institutions to achieve common goals:
- Cooperation between local businesses for the development of common products and working methods
- Cooperation between public and private bodies for the upgrading of the area in cultural, environmental and social terms
- Smart Villages: Innovative development of rural areas through integrated strategies.
The LEADER/CLLD 2023-2027 programme is expected to offer significant opportunities for the development and upgrading of SMEs and local communities across Greece.
