Brussels, 09/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the European Commission approved two Belgian rural development programmes under the Community Initiative Leader+.
Wallonia: the total budget for the 2001-2006 period will be EUR 25.280 million including EUR 11.6 million from Community funding and EUR 2 million from the private sector. This programme will provide assistance for up to 15 local action groups and focus on the following subjects: applying new knowledge and technologies to make products and services in rural areas more competitive, improving quality of life in rural areas, adding value to local products and facilitating market access for small businesses through a collective approach, making best use of natural and cultural resources, including enhancing the value of the sites of Community interest selected under NATURA 2000.
Flanders: the total budget for the 2001-2006 period will be EUR 9.368. This will consist of a Community contribution of EUR 4.293 million and EUR 782,000 from the private sector. Five local action groups will benefit from this initiative for which the objectives are exactly the same as those in the Walloon project.