 LAG Pärnu Lahe Partnerluskogu (Pärnu Bay Partnership)Pärnu Bay Partnership has 89 members, including six rural municipalities (Pärnu town, Tori, Häädemeeste, Kihnu, Saarde and Lääneranna), 47 enterprises and 36 non-profit organisations. Pärnu Bay Partnership applies three measures to achieve the goals established in its strategy for the period 2014-2020:Competitive entrepreneurship through cooperation, innovation and using local resourcesActive, community-led developmentDeveloping environmentally-friendly tourism, marketing of the Romantic Coastline area The region of activity of the LAG Pärnu Bay Partnership also includes Kihnu island (its cultural heritage is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). A third of the Pärnu Bay Partnership territory is covered in large nature conservation areas, including NATURA 2000 areas.The area attracts visitors with 2 golf courses, a racetrack and a theme park. A journey along the Romantic Coastline route combines roads and paths, cultural, historical and natural values, all located within the boundaries of Pärnu County and each with their own unique characteristics. Important figures (as of 01.01.2017)Number of inhabitants: 22,163Area: 2,782 km2Inhabitants per km2: 7.97Number of enterprises (incl. sole proprietors): 2,548Number of non-profit organisations: 502Contact: plpparnu@gmail.comLAG Kodukant LäänemaaLAG Kodukant Läänemaa has 79 members, including 4 rural municipalities (Haapsalu, Lääne-Nigula, Vormsi and Lääneranna1), 34 enterprises and 41 non-profit organisations.LAG Kodukant Läänemaa applies three measures to achieve the goals established in its strategy for the period of 2014-2020+:Increasing entrepreneurial activityImproving the living environmentDeveloping national and international cooperation Kodukant Läänemaa (“Our home – Läänemaa”) was established in 1997 to unite the rural areas of the Lääne County (Läänemaa in Estonian) and to foster the development of Estonian villages. In 2005 this non-governmental organisation was reorganised into the local LEADER action group. The first call for applications was launched in March 2009 to provide support for rural development projects.The main goals of the NGO are to: help preserve and revive traditional village life; boost its harmonious development; support village economy, folk culture and nature conservation; unite village associations.Kodukant Läänemaa LAG area is situated in western Estonia, where 23% of the territory of Lääne County, mostly wetlands and meadows, is under environmental protection. Nature has played an important role in Estonian spiritual beliefs, being perceived as a friend and a guardian. We believe that one of man’s basic rights is to have access to the outdoors, however, this right is also closely related to the obligation to respect and protect the natural environment.Läänemaa is a peaceful area which offers its visitors great natural and cultural diversity. Unspoiled nature, many historic monuments, nearly 200 years of traditions of spa and wellness services in the town of Haapsalu, and unique cultural events are the main attractions of the county. Our treasures are the Matsalu National Park, cultural heritage and our people. Many visitors are keen bird watchers or attend nature tours. Important figuresNumber of inhabitants: 21,149 (01.01.2016)Inhabitants per km2: 10.3Area: 2,383 km²Labour force: 11,500 (31.01.2017)Number of enterprises (incl. sole proprietors): 3032Number of non-profit organisations: 757Most important industries: light industry, timber industry; service sector (recreation and the spa services).Contact: laaneliider@kklm.eeLAG Mulgimaa Arenduskoda (Mulgimaa Development Centre)LAG Mulgimaa Development Centre has 93 members, including three rural municipalities (Mulgi, Viljandi and Tõrva), 31 enterprises and 59 non-profit organisations.Mulgimaa Development Centre applies three measures to achieve the goals established in its strategy for the period of 2014-2023:Sustainable and competitive entrepreneurshipA quality living environment enabling self-realisationThe area is competitive and unique The region of activity of the LAG Mulgimaa Development Centre comprises the historical area of Mulgimaa located in South Estonia, and is known for its special dialect, food and architecture. Today, Mulgimaa is situated within the counties of Viljandi and Valga.The landscape is very diverse with hills and valleys, rivers and lakes, including one of the largest lakes in the Baltic States, Lake Võrtsjärv. As there are no major mines or industries, the natural environment is largely untouched. Important figures (as of 01.01.2017)Number of inhabitants: 26,344Area: 2546.29 km2Inhabitants per km2: 10.3Number of enterprises (incl. sole proprietors): 1925Number of non-profit organisations: 540The main economic branches are manufacturing and agricultural production. In total, about 1900 small- and medium-sized enterprises operate in the region.Contact: arenduskoda@mulgimaa.eeLAG Roheline Jõemaa (Green Riverland Partnership)LAG Green Riverland Partnership (GRP) has 94 members including 6 rural municipalities from 3 different counties: Pärnu County (Pärnu, Tori, Põhja-Pärnumaa, Saarde), Viljandi County (Põhja-Sakala), Rapla County (Kehtna), 49 enterprises and 39 non-profit organisations.LAG GRP applies three measures to achieve the goals established in its strategy for period of 2015-2023:Sustainable entrepreneurship in Green Riverland areaSustainable community and better living environmentDevelopment of the Green Riverland area Green Riverland Partnership was founded on 16.03.2006 in Vastemõisa village, Suure-Jaani.The main aims of GRP are to:promote and support local initiative and the development of rural living environment;create and implement local integrated strategy for the region relying on the partnership of public, private and non-governmental sectors. The Green Riverland Partnership is situated in the south-west of Estonia. GRP’s name derives from the location of the region which includes large wetlands, woodlands and rivers, and is described as follows:Green – forests, swamps, flora and fauna and Soomaa National ParkRiverland – the Pärnu River basin and lakes, waterway and the “fifth season” in SoomaaPartnership – cooperation of the leaders of rural municipalities, entrepreneurs and associationsThe main economic branches are agriculture, forestry and tourism. The greatest wealth of the region comes from both its rich natural environment, and similarly rich and diverse cultural history. Soomaa National Park is like a cross-section of both natural and human history with lots of activities for visitors. Important figures:Number of inhabitants: 28,081 (01.01.2017)Inhabitants per km²: 7.8Area: 2998 km²Labour force: 15,165 (01.01.2017)Number of micro-businesses: 1607Contact: aino@joemaa.eeEstonian LEADER UnionEstonian LEADER Union is a non-governmental organisation established to contribute to the implementation of LEADER/CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) principles in Estonia. The goals of the Union are to:unite Estonian LEADER local action groups (LAGs);represent the interests of Estonian LAGs both within the country and internationally;support the knowledge-based development of its member organisations. Estonian LEADER Union’s mission is to be a social partner in the legislative process, competent in developing its members and the guardian of LEADER principles in the development of rural areas.Established on 19th March 2012, the Estonian LEADER Union currently has 20 Estonian LAGs as members.Contact: info@leaderliit.euEstonian Rural NetworkThe Estonian Rural Network (Eesti Maaeluvõrgustik, Estonia NRN) is a departement of the Agricultural Research Centre, and its mission is to add value to the implementation of the Estonian Rural Development Programme (RDP).The membership is unformal but involves bodies representing programme beneficiaries, organizations and authorities engaged in rural development including RDP implementation including:The main tasks of Estonian NSUPromoting transnational cooperation, incl. exchanging information with European Network for Rural Development (ENRD);Providing LEADER support activities;Collecting and disseminating project examples that have received support from RDP support programmePromoting the formation of new thematic innovations and new networks. Networking for LEADERProviding LEADER support activities for Local Action Groups (LAGs) and coordinating information Exchange. Estonian has 26 LAG-s. Since 2016 all 26 Estonian LAGs started the period 2014-2020 and to implement their local development strategies with the aim: to develop the region and select individual LEADER projectsLINC 2012 and 2019Cooperation is an important element of the activities an international conference “LINC 2012 – LEADER and Voluntary Work” was organised together with South-Estonian local action groups in Tartu in 2012. Today, the Estonian Rural Network is a partner for LINC 2019.Estonian NRN can help interested parties find an Estonian project partner for transnational LEADER cooperation projects. Local food networkThere are more than 10 food networks in Estonia, “producer-to-consumer” short supply chain activities are popular around Estonia. Estonian NRN could help you to exchange ideas with Estonian food producers, or arranging fairs or events related to local food. Estonian Open Farm DaysEstonian Open Farm Days will be held for the fift time in 2019, this time on 21st July. It is an excellent opportunity to see what is going on in Estonian agriculture and rural life. 147 farms opened their doors in 2015, 234 farms in 2016, 280 farms in 2017, and in 2018 we had almost 300 farms.The official website is: https://www.avatudtalud.ee/en. For more information or help to compile your visitor journey, contact Estonian NRN. Innovation networkIn Estonia there are 6 innovation clusters and 22 EIP (European Innovation Partnership) operational groups supported by the Estonian Rural Development Plan 2014-2020. In 2018 Estonian EIP-AGRI operational groups start their first transnational cooperation projects. Contact RND to find an Estonian partner for an EIP-AGRI cooperation project.to organise, collect, analyse and disseminate information about the subject field;organise events necessary for the action and promotion of rural and innovation networks;to act as a supporting structure for LEADER local action groups;to enhance innovation in agriculture, food production, forestry and within the rural area generally;to work in cooperation with international networks. Contact: seminar@pmk.agri.ee |