A new lease of life for the Leader program in Green Provence Verdon Sainte-Baume

In the wedding hall of Ginasservis town hall, there's a lot of thinking going on. This is where the members of the Leader program's programming committee pored over the action sheets all morning last Thursday. These sheets are important. They define the local strategy for the European funding mechanism. They frame the projects, so to speak. Specifically, project leaders—businesses, associations, and local authorities—can apply for funding for their ideas if they meet the criteria outlined in these three action sheets (resilience and territorial sobriety; local economy and sustainable development; social ties and heritage).

This was a first for the members of the new programming committee. Neither a progress report nor an update, but rather a working meeting between the more seasoned members and the newcomers. The objective: to outline avenues for reflection and action, above all. The challenge here is communication. While project leaders arrive in a continuous stream at the door of the Provence Verte Verdon Joint Syndicate, their idea or project already well-prepared, the European Leader funding program remains unknown to local authorities. Yet, they could benefit from it and provide significant support to project leaders.

"We realized that elected officials were not aware of the program," notes Marie-Noëlle Varlet, a member of the citizens' council of the Sainte-Baume regional natural park.

So, how can we shift the needle and raise awareness of a program that supports rural areas? This was the central question of the brainstorming session. Especially since the Haut Var region (Ginasservis, Saint-Julien, and La Verdière) is the least well-represented in the GAL (Local Action Group), the program's area of ​​focus.

Three workshops—one per action sheet—were offered to the twenty or so members of the committee, which now numbers around fifty in total. By the end of the morning, ideas had emerged: being present at events and animating social media.

"There are great people in this area who have good ideas. And sometimes, they don't have the knowledge of what exists, the solutions to implement their project." For the former teacher, all audiences are concerned to "dynamize the area" .

"We need to inform young people who will be the project leaders of tomorrow, both working people and retirees. Without them, there are no associations, for example."

A little over one million euros is earmarked for this 2024-2027 program. A budget of 322,000 euros has been set aside for the first eleven projects. The next call for projects will be launched at the start of the academic year.

“Cultural to create social impact”

The technicians of the Provence Verte Verdon Joint Syndicate, at the helm of this massive machine, launched the first call for projects in June 2024 for this new program, which runs until 2027. After extensive support, twenty-five of them presented the final oral presentation to the committee in November. A trying step for some because it was crucial. Decisive, even.

After two intense days, eleven projects received a favorable review. In March, project leaders were able to submit their applications on the new dedicated platform, Europac—which, like all new developments, took a little time to get through the first phase. A new phase has thus begun. All that remains is the validation of co-financiers (the Region in particular). But the lights are green. Simon Mignot didn't stay in the starting blocks for long. For him, the project will come to fruition at the end of May with his multidisciplinary festival, Take Over, in Pourrières.

How did you hear about the Leader program?

By word of mouth. When you try to organize free events, the first question you ask yourself is how to finance them. Leader is less well-known, even less accessible than other programs because it's still very technical. Especially since the festival is situated between the cultural and the social. So we really had to emphasize the social dimension to stick to action sheet 3, social connection and heritage. In any case, that's the primary purpose of the project: to create connections between residents and artists. We have a pool of talent in our region. We do cultural activities to create social ones. We're very proud to bring different worlds together.

What do you think is the biggest advantage of the program?

Support. I always had someone to guide me. They reviewed my presentation. For example, they advised me to come with an elected official from Pourrières because the festival works hand in hand with the town hall. That was important. The Leader program was one of the only ways to finance this project. I feel truly lucky to have been selected.

You presented your project in November. How did you experience this major oral presentation?

It was a little stressful. The hardest part was summing up five years of ideas in my head in fifteen minutes. But it's a part of me, so I talk about it with a lot of love and desire.

What were you able to finance?

Communication, programming local artists, technical aspects, sound, and lighting. And also the arrival of an association dedicated to preventing gender-based and sexual violence. Volunteers will be trained to provide mediation services, as this is a real issue that arises in the festival environment.

It’s a pretty substantial budget…

We asked for 32,000 euros. We reduced it as much as possible to give ourselves the best possible chance. The Pourrières town hall is funding the security and electricity costs.

It is also an ambitious project…

I've been working in the festival industry for several years now. We wanted to recreate a village festival. There will be music (18 concerts), dance, and a circus. There will be something for everyone.