FAO and Montenegro strengthen capacities for LEADER approach implementation

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro, recently held a two-day capacity-building training to support the country’s preparation for the implementation of the LEADER approach, a key component of the European Union’s rural development framework.

The training, organized under the project Support to Creating Preconditions for Implementation of the LEADER Approach, focused on strengthening the capacities of the ministry’s IPARD Managing Authority and the Paying Agency for the effective rollout of the LEADER measure under IPARD III 2021–2027. The acronym “LEADER” is derived from the French phrase “Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale”, which means “links between activities for the development of rural economy”.

As an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), IPARD focuses specifically on the rural areas and agrifood sectors of countries in the process of joining the European Union. The current rural development assistance under IPA III promotes gradual alignment with the rules of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy.

Over the course of the event, participants reviewed draft operational manuals for both institutions, the Managing Authority and the Paying Agency, including practical procedures for implementing local development strategies under the LEADER approach. They also examined successful examples from Croatia and Estonia of LEADER implementation, discussed the role and structure of local action groups in Montenegro, and explored national and local perspectives on applying the approach.

Through interactive sessions, group work and discussions, participants identified potential challenges, such as bottlenecks in fund delivery and broader obstacles to implementation, while working together to propose practical solutions.

“The training marked an important step in preparing institutions in Montenegro for future application of the LEADER approach,” said Jovana Sukovic, FAO Programme Coordinator in Montenegro, “which aims to empower local communities, enhance rural development and improve livelihoods across the country.”

The two-year FAO project was launched in October 2024 to help the country at national and local levels in implementing the LEADER approach. It will support the establishment of local action groups for the benefit of increased competitiveness and economic development in rural areas of Montenegro.