Participatory Local Development (PLD) Strategies

Local Development Strategies are the strategic programming document that allows the Groups to guide their actions and coordinate their implementation (measure 19.2 of the Rural Development Programs). One of the specific objectives that the strategies must achieve is evaluation and monitoring , where various indicators can be used to analyze the degree of achievement of the planned objectives.

This course emphasized the importance of evaluation , as well as going beyond the legal requirements established by the Regulations. During the four-day workshop, theoretical material was combined with practical exercises, through which participants acquired knowledge on various aspects affecting their strategy, such as Leader 's contribution to territorial and socioeconomic development, the agri-food sector, the environment, and climate change. Ultimately, the goal was to "evaluate Leader 's added value."

Methodologies and Tools

The instructors of this workshop, Marili Parissaki and María Coto, presented various tools and methodologies that Groups can use to evaluate their Strategies. The tools presented are both quantitative and qualitative: surveys, interviews, focus groups, multi-criteria evaluation, and the MAPP method .

The advantages and disadvantages of each of them in their practical application have been explained.

Ultimately, this workshop, included in the National Rural Network's Action Plan, has allowed for reflection and the development of a culture of evaluation regarding the added value of Leader and local development , highlighting the importance of including participatory processes that involve all stakeholders.