Georgian LAGs learn from Austrian LEADER experience.

Over the summer, to support the further development of the Local Action Groups (LAGs) of Akhmeta and Zugdidi municipalities, Action Against Hunger organized a four-day study tour to Austria. This study tour was made possible through the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) under the project “Improving local governance through inclusive development approaches”

The aim of the study tour was to allow the participants to learn about the evolution of the LEADER approach in that country and to meet with LAGs there to better understand their methods and approaches, as well as the support that they provide to their rural communities. The participants – six LAG members and two AAH project staff members – were based in Feldbach Municipality, Styria during the tour and visited the regions supported by LAG Vulkan-land and LAG Südburgenland. Throughout the duration of the study tour the group was accompanied by Mario Hofer, an ambassador from the region.

On the first day of the tour, participants met with Josef Ober, Mayor of the Feldbach municipality and Chairperson of the Vulkanland region. Mr. Ober made the keynote speech, as well as a providing an inspiring lecture on the regional vision, using examples of Vulkan-land and their achievements in working towards their development strategy. The Regional Youth Manager, Ms. Leonida Ulrich, also made a presentation about the regional youth programmes and the strategies used to strengthen youth actors to promote the interests of young people within the region.

Following these speeches, a tour of the locality was organised. LAG members visited farms operating in the Styria region, including a family farm which produces a wide range of dairy products and sells them in the kindergartens, schools, and shops in, and around, Feldbach. They also visited a LEADER supported transnational project, which promotes the cooperation of 200 Austrian and Slovenian companies from 19 communities

The second day of the tour began with the participants meeting LAG Manager Margit Nöhrer who provide a presentation of their projects and shared best practices. Following this, LAG members visited projects focused upon renewable energies, the sustainable use and preservation of the natural landscape and biodiversity. The participants also visited the vineyard of a winegrower in Straden who has been farming organically since 2015 and his operations are environmentally and CO2 neutral. During the study tour, participants were impressed by the beauty of Styria, the hospitality of their hosts and landscapes of Austrian villages.

As Ana Emukhvar from iZugdidi LAG said of the tour, “It was important for me to understand that the operation of the CLLD approach in Austria is fully aligned with the regional development plan, which has several priority directions: human, ecological, and economic. This combination gives the population the opportunity to live a decent life. All of this was achieved by taking into account the following aspects: To see the right perspectives of regional development (in the direction of tourism and agriculture); promote the culture of various regional events, branding of the region, "mental transformation" and raising the awareness on civic responsibility, education, cooperation and connections.

As summed up by AAH Project Officer, Nino Logua, the Austrian study tour was one of the most interesting tours for Georgian LAG members. Participants had an opportunity to get valuable information about LEADER/CLLD approach, its achievements in Austria and get acquainted with the historical, cultural specificities and values of the country.  It was full of impressions, adventures, and unforgettable memories.