The LEADER region Ortenau is facing the end of the 2014-2017 funding period. The current funding period will be extended with the two-year transition phase in 2021 and 2022. Nevertheless, effects and successes of the current LEADER funding are to be examined in a final evaluation at this point. In addition to monitoring the success of the current development strategy, the final evaluation should provide important indications for its further development. It is therefore an important prerequisite for an application of the LAG Ortenau for the next funding period 2021 - 2027.
In this context, the Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS) supports the 'Association of regional development Ortenau' in conducting the survey and evaluating the results. In the extensive survey, not only LAG members, project beneficiaries and regional key actors, but for the first time also beneficiaries of the regional budget financed by the joint task 'Improvement of the Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection' (GAK) in Baden-Wuerttemberg will be interviewed. The regional budget allows the unbureaucratic funding of micro-projects (up to 20,000 €) that contribute to the achievement of the goals of the regional development strategy. In particular, voluntary and local initiatives are to be empowered in their commitment.
Following the survey, the different stakeholder groups will discuss the results in an evaluation workshop and draw conclusions for the orientation of the thematic foci and fields of action of the Ortenau region in the coming funding period.
Contact persons at IfLS: Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de) und Oliver Müller (mueller[at]ifls.de)