The innovation journey

LAG (founded in 2002) gradually professionalized until the establishment of a local development office, which, in addition to LEADER projects, also provides consultancy in the field of other subsidy programs. Besides, it also focuses on publishing activities, creating video documentaries, organizing educational events or lending community furniture.

Since 2004, LAG has supported almost 250 projects for more than 3.5 million EUR. It implemented dozens of its projects, which include, for example, Join Hands, focused on the mapping and restoration of small sacred buildings. They were partners in the Pathway project – building a pilgrimage trail in Scotland and GASTRO rural art, implemented in Croatia. Among the applicants’ interesting projects are, the Butterfly Paradise in Ždánice, the Military cinema in Vlkoš a project restoring cultural and historical elements in the villages in the Chřiby foothills. LAG has become a development element of the territory and a sought-after place for advice for entrepreneurs, municipalities and non-profit organizations in the area of other European programs and subsidy policies. The Local Action Plan for Education Development project is underway. The activity Energetic Society – Communities to support community energy is a novelty. New partnerships were created, but also new skills – applicants learned to write projects, municipalities learned to lend money to associations, and entrepreneurs learned to pre-finance projects of non-profit organizations. Municipalities began to participate in the implementation of the Strategy and a large potential was initiated in many areas of the life of inhabitants. A unique informal structure “Council of Microregions” was created, which helps to increase the effectiveness of the program and its implementation.