Tartu County Development Association (TAS) is a LEADER action group that has positioned itself not only as an implementer of the LEADER support measure, but also as a regional development organisation. During the period of 2023-2030 the European Social Fund measure (ESF+) aimed at increasing social inclusion will be implemented alongside the LEADER support measure.
Vision for 2030:
The area covered by Tartu County Development Association has smart communities, entrepreneurial and healthy youth, and innovative businesses whose activities enhance the value of local resources. The opportunities of green and circular economy are applied in the area in a smart way. Cooperation networks and new initiatives are sustainable and well known in Estonia and beyond.
Thanks to the work of TAS, the quality of life and welfare in the area have improved!
The implementation of the strategy is based on four continuous principles:
- Amplification of the particularities of Tartu County
- Wisdom and innovation
- Implementation of the green transition
- Sense of community
In accordance with the vision, TAS strategy has three focus areas and a strategic objective set for each area. The implementation of the strategy is done through three measures in each focus area.
First focus area: Community and youth (40% of LEADER measure)
Strategic objective 1: TAS’s area has smart communities and entrepreneurial and healthy youth.
Measures implemented:
- Measure 1.1: Smart community-based solutions (maximum subsidy 80 000 euros, minimum subsidy 20 000 euros, rate of aid 80%)
- Measure 1.2: Entrepreneurial and healthy youth (maximum subsidy 20 000 euros, minimum subsidy 3000 euros, rate of aid 80%)
- Measure 1.3: Community-based small projects (maximum subsidy 20 000 euros, minimum subsidy 3000 euros, rate of aid 80%)
Second focus area: Local resources and businesses (35% of LEADER measure)
Strategic objective 2: The business activities in TAS’s area are innovative, enhance local resources and serve the community, tourism potential is implemented in accordance with the particularities of the area.
Measures implemented:
- Measure 2.1: Local small-scale production and business services (maximum subsidy 80 000 euros, minimum subsidy 10 000 euros, rate of aid 50%)
- Measure 2.2: Tourism and recreational opportunities (maximum subsidy 80 000 euros, minimum subsidy 10 000 euros, rate of aid for investments 60%, for networks 80%)
- Measure 2.3: Innovation and piloting (maximum subsidy 40 000 euros, minimum subsidy 10 000 euros, rate of aid for business projects 60%, for others 80%)
Third focus area: Flagship projects, umbrella and cooperation projects (25% of LEADER measure and ESF+ funding)
Strategic objective 3: With the support of TAS the cooperation between different levels and sectors has strengthened, social inclusion has increased.
Measures implemented:
- Measure 3.1: Flagship projects (maximum subsidy 200 000 euros, minimum subsidy 100 000 euros, rate of aid 50%)
- Measure 3.2: TAS cooperation projects (sum of subsidies and rate of aid according LEADER measure)
- Measure 3.3: Increasing social inclusion (ESF+ funding of 627 016 euros, indicative sum of funding 6029 for one small project, rate of aid 100%)
The LEADER funding planned by TAS for the period of 2023-2027 is approximately 3.48 million euros, of which at least 75% will be directed to support measures. The funding by ESF+ is 627 016 euros. In addition to the implementation of LEADER and ESF+ measures, the objective of TAS is to include additional resources from other measures in order to carry out development projects in the area. With the self-contribution from the applicants, the total capacity of the strategy reaches up to 6.8 million euros.