The project is based around the LEADER program which is a highly effective and successful model of integrated social and economic development in rural communities. LEADER is delivered in a variety of different fashions by the member states.The project will entail a study of the delivery of the LEADER programme - seeking examples of the most efficient modes of implementation in the partner countries; and the transference of this knowledge to identified stakeholders in the form of a high quality accredited course delivered using a blended learning model. The programme will be accredited through LIT, UL and the City and Guilds system.The key objectives are to carry out research on the delivery of LEADER in member states and training needs of LEADER staff and Board members, to deliver a best practice-based training course of implementation to LEADER company management and staff recruited by all the LEADER-related partners. It also seeks to promote shared learning between countries that have established LEADER programmes and those that are relative newcomers to delivery. The project will use a mix of on-line learning and learning workshops for programme delivery. The programme will also include work-based learning by participants and will allow for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Learning workshops will take place in Portugal, Ireland and Poland and will involve 18 participants envisaged from the programme (2 from each partner with the exception of LIT and UL who will have one person each in attendance). Further objectives of the project are the up-skilling of LEADER delivery organisations through life-long learning; the enhancement of the possibility of LEADER staff mobility; an increase in the number of transnational projects which may arise from the creation of networks and relationships. The project and its results will be disseminated through a combination of an on-line environment, a newsletter and brochure and a dissemination workshop in each partner country aimed at policy-makers and LEADER organisations.The participant organisations have extensive experience in the delivery of LEADER programmes, the delivery of high quality Rural Development and Sustainable Development Education and the management and delivery of successful European Projects. The delivery of the programme will involve a research phase involving the resources of all the partners, a curriculum design phase, a delivery phase and will incorporate on-going evaluation throughout. It will involve structured measurable input from all of the partners into the creation of a robust methodology on the most effective and efficient method of delivering LEADER.The main output of the project will be an accredited LEADER programme within the European qualifications framework that is aimed at professionals and policy makers. This programme which will be available to be delivered by VET providers in all member states will provide stakeholders with the knowledge, and skills to implement successful LEADER programs and projects. All of the programme material including curriculum, learning content, assessment models and accreditation will be made available free of charge to all. LIT will maintain the project website for three years minimum after the end of the programme.
Context/background of the project; The project is based around the LEADER program which is a highly effective and successful model of integrated social and economic development in rural communities. The opportunities for capacity building and knowledge exchange between regions/countries across Europe are significant. Regions with extensive experience in LEADER program implementation can share their approaches and methods with new EU Member States (MS) and options for cooperation identified between regions/countries across Europe. Furthermore the effective management of the LEADER Programme can be enhanced through building the knowledge, skills and capacities of those working within Local Aaction Groups (LAGs) and Local Development Companies (LDCs) Objectives; Th key objectives of the TELI2 Project were to a) Carry out research on the delivery of LEADER in member states and training needs of LEADER staff and Board members b) Develop a programme in LEADER programme management, which would be accrediated on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) c) To deliver a best practice-based training course of implementation to LEADER company management and staff recruited by all the LEADER-related partners. Number and profile of participating organisations; The TELI2 project involved 10 partners from Ireland (2), Poland (1), Romania (1), Slovenia (2), Croatia (2) and Portugal (1). The partners represented Academic and Training Organisations (Limerick Institute of Technology (IE) and University of Ljubljana (SL)) and Local Action Groups (Dolina Raby (PL), SECAD (IE), Dobrogea Centrala (RO), Development agency Kozjansko (SL), Zeleni Bregi (HR), Adrimag (PT), ACE (PT), Zrinska Gora-Turopolje (HR). Expert staff from each partner contributed their knowledge and skills across the field of education/training, rural development, sustainable development, LEADER Programme management, project management and dissemination. The participant organisations have extensive experience in the delivery of LEADER programmes, the delivery of high quality Rural Development and Sustainable Development Education and the management and delivery of successful European Projects. In addition, 16 people selected from the LAGs completed the programme. Description of undertaken main activities; The project has been successful in implementing all aspects of the planned work programme. Firstly a detailed analysis of LEADER Programme implementation was completed on the basis of a survey of LAGs and relevant organisations across the EU. Analysis of inputs from 169 respondents to an on-line survey and 45 participants in Focus Groups were compiled into a dedicated report profiling the approaches to LEADER implementation across Europe. In addition, this report also provided conclusions on the Training needs of those working in LEADER organisations across Europe. This input feed directly into the next phase of developing a Certificate in LEADER Programme Management. LIT, in consultation with University of Ljubljana, developed an education programme to meets the needs as outlined in the research. Various methods of programme accrediation were researched and finally the programme was accrediated through LIT as a Special Purpose Award - Level 7 on EQF. The programme has a total of 30 ECTS and designed for delivery as a blended learning programme. The programme was delivered to 18 participants, who were selected by the LAG partners, LIT and UL. The participants completed the programme over a 6 month period including completion of 3 Learning Weeks in IE, PT and PL. Participants completed modules on Communications and Facilitation, LEADER Approach and Neo-Endogenous Rural and LEADER Programme Management and Organisational Skills. 13 of participants successfully received the academic accreditation at the end of the progamme. The outputs and outcomes from the project were widely disseminated through a variety of channels including Website, Social Media, Newsletters and Mutilplier Events. Results and impact attained; The critical result has been the upskilling of 16 representatives from LAGs across Europe on how to implement and manage the LEADER Programme in their regions. All participants engaged actively in the programme and while 3 did not receive the final academic accreditation they have still acquired the relevant knowledge and skills from the programme. The extensive exchanges between the project partners both during project meetings and the Learning/Teaching/Training activities has created a strong community and bond between the partners and discussions are on-going on how to further the work completed in the project into other areas through further collaborations. 236 people attended the Multiplier Events and contributed to engaged discussions on how the LEADER Programme can be utilised to enhance the lives of people in regions across Europe.