Co-operation Measure

What is a Co-operation project?

A co-operation project is one which takes place as a joint action between two or more LAGs and which provides for mutual benefit for each partner organisation. It must fit with the strategies of all LAGs involved; not merely the Lead partner. Under the RDP Strategy agreed with DARD, SWARD is obliged to spend a minimum of 5% of its allocation on Co-operation Projects.

Why would you undertake one?

Co-operation projects can play a vital role in local development. Co-operation is a way to widen local views in order to improve local strategies. Collaboration beyond established borders has been a way to get access to information and new ideas, to learn from other regions or countries, to stimulate and support innovation and to acquire skills and means to improve delivery.  Co-operation should not, however, be seen as the objective but also as the means to address a specific objective around common issues.  It may be appropriate to consider undertaking a co-operation where a particular opportunity or challenge has been identified within the LAG strategy which cannot be addressed without outside assistance or where it would be better addressed as a result. It must begin with the LAG strategy and a project idea for which cooperation/co-operative activity presents a possible solution.  Such projects are likely to be most effective

Where:

• The partners share an opportunity or concern in common and working together allows them to achieve the scale to make a project possible/viable.
• A partner organisation in a different geographic region has already developed an approach to a similar issue which may be adapted for use by the LAG.
• Remember though - the project must be mutually beneficial to each area.

What kind of project could you undertake?

Any project or programme which fits within the Axis 3 Measures of your own strategy and meets the eligibility criteria of the EU Regulations and national operating rules. Co-operation projects are progressed in two phases: Pre-development and implementation.

Co-operation projects could:

• Help local industry by targeting new markets for their product(s).
• Improve the quality of products manufactured through co-operation on manufacturing/processing techniques.
• Include joint marketing activities, particularly relevant in the tourism and food sectors.
• Introduce new approaches in areas such as Village Planning or environmental management, building on the experiences of LAGs in other areas.
• Provide the economies of scale or critical mass to enable a project which would not have been possible within a single LAG area of operation or resources.

 What is the Pre-Development Phase?

A grant of up to £5000 (per LAG) is available for the pre development phase of each project.

Pre-development includes:

Preparatory technical support – support in planning phase to facilitate the search for and contacting of partners and providing technical support for compiling the dossier  i.e. “upstream expenditure” such as

• Cost of meetings with potential partners (travel, accommodation, interpreters fees) and
• Project pre development costs (feasibility study, consulting costs, translation, additional staff)

Once the co-operation Agreement is signed the pre-development phase ends and valid costs thereafter are included in the implementation phase.