Frequently Asked Questions

The Local Development Strategy (LDS) is the policy instrument adopted for the application of the local development strategy defined by each LAG to implement Axis 4 - Leader of the RDP.

This procedure may only be adopted if expressly provided for in the LDS of the single LAG. The procedure may be implemented as follows:

• by the subject involved;
• by a subject selected on the basis of several offers;
• agreement with public subjects whose institutional aims and/or technical and scientific expertise meet the highly specific characteristics requested and can guarantee correct implementation.

This procedure, which may only be adopted if expressly provided for in the LDS of the single LAG, can be adopted in the presence of situations with prevalently public interest and importance, where the planned actions may explicitly meet the needs of the community as a whole and of the local area. Although such cases necessitate only partial compliance with the public call procedure, they must meet the guidelines of the LDS and guarantee publication of deeds and beneficiary identification and selection procedures.
Procedures managed by local authorities may identify specific areas and/or beneficiaries by identifying the applicants in a univocal manner.

It is a public invitation by the Local Action Group for the submission of grant applications for participation in a support scheme for measures/submeasures/actions as defined in the Local Development Programme 2007-2013. The Call for Proposals defines access and selection procedures, funds available, contribution percentages, obligations and limitations.

Leader is the acronym of “Liaison entre Actions de Développement de l'Economie Rurale” (Links between the rural economy and development actions) and represents a local development strategy with a multisectoral approach involving all local actors through Local Action Groups, or LAGs. Established as a community initiative in 1989, the LEADER approach became an integral part of the new Rural Development Programmes.

The Regional Agency for Agricultural Payments (AVEPA) is the Paying Agency of the Regione del Veneto responsible for:

• checking that applications are admissible and controlling grant allocation procedures as well as their compliance with community regulations before the issue of the payment order;
• precise and complete accounting of payments made;
• carrying out of controls provided for by Community regulations;
• presentation of documents within the deadlines and in the form requested by community regulations;
• accessibility of documents and proper storage thereof in order to guarantee their continuing integrity, validity and readability, including electronic documents in compliance with community regulations.

To find out more about the agency's activities see www.avepa.it (Leader).

The Documento di Indirizzi Procedurali (Procedural Guideline Document) as per Attachment A to Decree of the Regional Government 4083 of 29.12.2009 and subsequent modifications and supplements addresses all stakeholders involved in the administrative procedure at any level (applicants, beneficiaries, regional administrations, AVEPA, Local Action Groups, etc). It describes the processes related to:

• selection of grant applications;
• management of particular situations arising during the various stages of the administrative procedure;
• information for grant beneficiaries and bodies participating in the implementation of actions;
• grant reduction and sanction establishment;
• monitoring and assessment;
• advertising and information measures.

It also outlines criteria for admission and eligibility of expenses and defines opportunities and limits
that some expenditure categories impose on beneficiaries.

In addition to this document there is the Manuale delle Procedure Controlli e Sanzioni (Manual of Control Procedures and Sanctions) as per AVEPA Decree n. 781 of 24.12.2008 and subsequent modifications and supplements, which contains an in-depth description of procedural rules, controls and application of reductions and sanctions.

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) is a tool, funded by the European Union (EAFRD), Italian State and Regione del Veneto, which defines the main strategies, objectives and programmes for the agricultural, agri-food and forestry sectors, aimed to support the development of the rural areas of the Veneto until 2013. It can be consulted at www.regione.veneto.it (Agriculture and Forests – Rural Development).

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) is the European Union structural fund that promotes and finances rural development projects.