Selection criteria and Basic requirements

The purpose is for the project to contribute to the development of the countryside in the leader area, which in itself is a prerequisite for being granted project support. The benefits of the project should accrue to our leader area and our residents. The owner of the project may be located in other places than in our leader area, but the benefits of the project should accrue to the area for Leader Mittland Plus for it to be relevant for support.

In our area, this applies to the rural areas in Timrå, Ånge, and Bräcke municipalities. In Sundsvall, this applies to all rural areas, except for the urban area which is excluded. (Which areas in Sundsvall municipality are considered urban is defined by statistical Reg-SO areas.)

We check in the application whether the fundamental aspects of the leader method local initiatives, together, and innovation are present in the application for project support. Partnerships across sector boundaries are a requirement, and by that, we mean that there is some form of collaboration between at least two of the sectors non-profit, private, and public. The application must contain a credible description of which parties have collaborated in the implementation of the project and that at least one of them is in a different sector than their own.

The project is tested against the basic requirement where local initiatives together and innovation are also present in the application. The minimum level of local initiative and bottom-up perspective is that the party or parties that have a need for the project are also part of the project's inception. Either the initiators of the project are involved themselves and start it up, or a local idea has been picked up by another party that helps to implement the project together with the project initiators.

The project must be documented as locally innovative or have innovative elements. This is to ensure that when applying for support, the fundamental aspects of the leader method's local initiatives and innovation are present in the application itself. An innovation or new thinking can be defined as learning processes that lead to new better solutions or create value for society, businesses, and individuals. A project seeking support should aim to create development, not support existing operations. There should be innovation in the project and a thought on how the project can convey learning to its community or participants. The minimum degree of innovation and a fulfilled basic requirement is that it is stated in the project application that something equivalent has not been carried out in the same place previously.

Examples of innovation

• In a local perspective, something proven can be new, i.e., something is done or tested already in other places, but is new for the local community.
• A project aimed at a reinvestment, such as roof replacement or purchase of a replacement product, is not considered innovative and cannot be granted project support. The exception is in cases where the reinvestment is necessary for, for example, a completely new rural development activity that is not the activity currently conducted by the applicant or at the location where the investment is to be made. For example, replacing the roof of a barn can have different purposes and therefore be assessed differently. If the roof is to be replaced to continue being used for storage of agricultural machinery as before, it is considered a reinvestment for rural development, and therefore does not meet the basic condition for project support. If the roof replacement instead aims to change the use of the barn and create a museum for visitors, the project is considered innovative and aims for general development of the countryside, thus meeting the basic condition for project support.
• An organization seeking project support to conduct the same activity as today, i.e., has the activity as a regular assignment, is assessed not to meet the basic condition for project support.
• An organization seeking project support to implement an idea where other organizations outside the project's geographical area have similar activities but not within the geographical area meets the basic condition for project support.
• An organization seeking project support should test a method or implement an idea that no one else is working on is assessed to meet the basic condition for project support.

In the project application, it should be possible to see how the project aligns with one or more of the strategy's overarching principles.

• Sustainable development
• Equal treatment and non-discrimination
• Gender equality between women and men

The purpose of this basic condition is to see if the project actively takes a stand and supports these three principles. By the project owner actively taking a stand, we ensure that the project does not contradict the sustainability principles that every project must support to be eligible for funding.

Agenda 2030 is an important part of the strategy as the sustainability goals steer towards a sustainable future. Which sustainability goals a project can contribute to, we at the office can help guide in preparation for a project application.

In a project application, the project should describe measurable results in its application and include a description of how the results will be measured and followed up after the project period ends. The purpose of this basic condition is to ensure that a project has a credible expected result and that there are opportunities to follow it up after the project is completed.

In the project application, the project should describe how the expected result will be managed and continue after the project's conclusion.

To meet the basic requirement, there must be a credible description of how the project ensures that the result will also remain after the project period and that the project owner, for example, has a plan for future operations in the type of project that involves investments and future business activities.

We are a non-profit association that works for rural development through the leader method. For an organization to apply for project support, the organization must be a member with us and support our association's intentions.

To meet the basic requirement, the organization applying for project support must have paid the membership fee, or otherwise agreed to become a member of our association when an application for project support is submitted to us. Membership is per calendar year and is also a prerequisite for the application for project support to be forwarded to the LAG board for decision.

The project presents indicators/follow-up tasks and has credibly presented how these will be measured/followed up at the end of the project period.

The points are based on the number of target values that the project is expected to contribute to at the end of the project period.

The LAG board is the one who decides whether the target values are realistic as expected results and can be proven as possible outcomes of the project's implementation. If the target value is not perceived as realistic, it is the LAG board's assessment that determines. (Project owners receive help from the leader office to choose possible criteria so that they are realistic.)

Step 1. Basic condition no. 7 fulfilled – 50 points

The project contributes to target values for 1-3 indicators and has presented how they intend to measure and follow up these in a credible manner.

Step 2 – 100 points

The project contributes to target values for 4-6 indicators and has presented how they intend to measure and follow up these in a credible manner.

Step 3 – 150 points

The project contributes to target values for 7 or more indicators and has presented how they intend to measure and follow up these in a credible manner.

In Leader Mittland Plus, this applies to rural areas in Timrå, Ånge, Bräcke municipalities. In Sundsvall, this applies to all rural areas, except for the urban area which is excluded. (Which areas in Sundsvall municipality are considered urban is defined by statistical Reg-SO areas. Contact the office to find out exactly which Reg-So are excluded.)

Partnerships across sector boundaries are a requirement, and by that we mean that there is some form of collaboration between at least two of the sectors: non-profit, private, and public.

Step 1, Basic condition no. 4 fulfilled – 40 points

The project has credibly described which parties intend to collaborate in the implementation of the project and has indicated parties within at least one sector beyond its own.

Step 2 – 80 points

The project meets step 1 and has attached documents that clearly state that one or more parties beyond the applicant intend to collaborate in the implementation of the project.

Step 3 – 120 points

The project has, in addition to steps 1 and 2, co-financing from at least one of the documented cooperation partners in a sector other than its own.

Partnerships across sector boundaries are a requirement, and by that we mean that there is some form of collaboration between at least two of the sectors: non-profit, private, and public.

The project is assessed based on the degree of new thinking or innovation

Step 1, Basic condition fulfilled – 40 points
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a local perspective, meaning that the project idea has not been implemented in the area before and this has been verified.

Step 2 – 80 points
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a regional perspective, meaning the project idea has not been implemented in the Leader area before and this has been verified.

Step 3 – 120 points
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a national or international perspective or are an idea that is so innovative that it can serve as a model for others in the future.

Projects should be based on a local bottom-up perspective and points are awarded based on the degree of innovation.

Basic conditions, not point-scoring.
The local parties that have the need for the project have been involved in the project's inception, either by initiating the project themselves or by a documented local idea being captured by the implementer.

Step 1 – 40 points
It is a local or Leader area regional target group and they have themselves initiated the project.

Step 2 – 80 points
It is a local or Leader area regional target group and they have themselves initiated the project and are also the ones who will implement the project and benefit from the results.

The criterion assesses to what extent the project is expected to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030. Which sustainability goals a project can contribute to is investigated by the LAG/Secretariat together with the project owner.

Basic conditions for overarching principles are not point-scoring.
The project supports the sustainability goals, which has been documented by the project owner stating that they support the sustainability goals.

Step 1 – 20 points

The project describes one or more activities aimed at contributing to social, ecological, or economic transformation that can be linked to the strategy's designated goals within Agenda 2030.

Step 2 – 40 points
The main purpose of the project is to create a sustainable and/or future-proof solution to a local or global problem.

Finding local solutions to problems by shifting the role of public actors to local community actors is one way to create more equal conditions between rural and urban areas in regions where, for example, basic services and infrastructure are currently lacking or have been depleted. The local community thus takes responsibility for creating the basic conditions for a viable rural area.

Step 1 – 20 points
The project carries out development activities that are intended to lead to the result of a smart village as defined by the strategy, i.e., solutions where local community actors take over tasks related to, for example, local services and infrastructure and thereby contribute to creating more equal conditions between urban and rural areas.

Platsobundna lösningar kan vara digitala lösningar som gör det möjligt att koppla upp sig till arbete, skola, nöjen… Det kan vara tillgång till kultur oberoende av plats, eller andra innovativa lösningar som möjliggör för invånare att bosätta sig på platser utanför städerna men ta del av samma utbud och möjligheter som andra. Platsobudna lösningar kan också vara åtgärder för att göra landsbygdsbaserade tillgångar tillgängliga för alla, t ex digitalisering som möjliggör upplevelser utan att förflytta sig, t ex att göra ett besöksmål virtuellt för att även de som av olika skäl har svårt att förflytta sig kan ta del av t ex natur- och kultur.

Step 1 – 20 points
Projektet ska genomföra aktiviteter som främjar möjligheter att leva, bo och verka på landsbygden på ett flexibelt sätt, t ex genom digitala lösningar och/eller bidrar till att minska det digitala utanförskapet, eller aktiviteter för att göra landsbygdens tillgångar tillgängliga för alla.

Step 1 – 20 points
Projektet har i sin ansökan en trovärdig beskrivning av hur en idé från unga ska förverkligas, det beskrivs hur unga är inkluderade i projektets genomförande.

Step 2 – 40 points
Projektet har dokumenterat hur det uppkommit som en idé från unga och det beskrivs hur unga är inkluderade i projektets formulering/uppbyggnadsfas och genomförande, även om projektet kan vara framtaget av vuxna.

Steg 3 – 60 poäng
Projektet är i sin helhet framtaget och formulerat av unga och syftar till att unga på egen hand ska förverkliga sina lokala utvecklingsidéer.

Steg 1, Grundvillkor nr 4 uppfyllt – 50 poäng
The project has credibly described which parties intend to collaborate in the implementation of the project and has indicated parties within at least one sector beyond its own.

Step 2 – 100 points
The project meets step 1 and has attached documents that clearly state that one or more parties beyond the applicant intend to collaborate in the implementation of the project.

Step 3 – 150 points
The project has, in addition to steps 1 and 2, co-financing from at least one of the documented cooperation partners in a sector other than its own.

The project is assessed based on the degree of new thinking or innovation

Steg 1, Grundvillkoret uppfyllt – 50 poäng
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a local perspective, meaning that the project idea has not been implemented in the area before and this has been verified.

Step 2 – 100 points
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a regional perspective, meaning the project idea has not been implemented in the Leader area before and this has been verified.

Step 3 – 150 points
It is evident from the application that the project's goals or methods are new from a national or international perspective or are an idea that is so innovative that it can serve as a model for others in the future.

Basic conditions, not point-scoring.
The local parties that have the need for the project have been involved in the project's inception, either by initiating the project themselves or by a documented local idea being captured by the implementer.

Steg 1 – 50 poäng
It is a local or Leader area regional target group and they have themselves initiated the project.

Step 2 – 100 points
It is a local or Leader area regional target group and they have themselves initiated the project and are also the ones who will implement the project and benefit from the results.

The criterion assesses to what extent the project is expected to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030. Which sustainability goals a project can contribute to is investigated by the LAG/Secretariat together with the project owner.

Basic conditions for overarching principles are not point-scoring.
The project supports the sustainability goals, which has been documented by the project owner stating that they support the sustainability goals.

Steg 1 – 30 poäng

The project describes one or more activities aimed at contributing to social, ecological, or economic transformation that can be linked to the strategy's designated goals within Agenda 2030.

Steg 2 – 60 poäng
The main purpose of the project is to create a sustainable and/or future-proof solution to a local or global problem.

Finding local solutions to problems by shifting the role of public actors to local community actors is one way to create more equal conditions between rural and urban areas in regions where, for example, basic services and infrastructure are currently lacking or have been depleted. The local community thus takes responsibility for creating the basic conditions for a viable rural area.

Steg 1 – 25 poäng
The project carries out development activities that are intended to lead to the result of a smart village as defined by the strategy, i.e., solutions where local community actors take over tasks related to, for example, local services and infrastructure and thereby contribute to creating more equal conditions between urban and rural areas.

Platsobundna lösningar kan vara digitala lösningar som gör det möjligt att koppla upp sig till arbete, skola, nöjen… Det kan vara tillgång till kultur oberoende av plats, eller andra innovativa lösningar som möjliggör för invånare att bosätta sig på platser utanför städerna men ta del av samma utbud och möjligheter som andra. Platsobudna lösningar kan också vara åtgärder för att göra landsbygdsbaserade tillgångar tillgängliga för alla, t ex digitalisering som möjliggör upplevelser utan att förflytta sig, t ex att göra ett besöksmål virtuellt för att även de som av olika skäl har svårt att förflytta sig kan ta del av t ex natur- och kultur.

Steg 1 – 25 poäng
Projektet ska genomföra aktiviteter som främjar möjligheter att leva, bo och verka på landsbygden på ett flexibelt sätt, t ex genom digitala lösningar och/eller bidrar till att minska det digitala utanförskapet, eller aktiviteter för att göra landsbygdens tillgångar tillgängliga för alla.

Steg 1 – 30 poäng
Projektet har i sin ansökan en trovärdig beskrivning av hur en idé från unga ska förverkligas, det beskrivs hur unga är inkluderade i projektets genomförande.

Steg 2 – 60 poäng
Projektet har dokumenterat hur det uppkommit som en idé från unga och det beskrivs hur unga är inkluderade i projektets formulering/uppbyggnadsfas och genomförande, även om projektet kan vara framtaget av vuxna.

Steg 3 – 90 poäng
Projektet är i sin helhet framtaget och formulerat av unga och syftar till att unga på egen hand ska förverkliga sina lokala utvecklingsidéer.