The goal of promoting rural development is being met with the help of the LEADER approach, which works by a bottom-up approach and has been linking agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, nature and cultural heritage conservation and the environment for 30 years. LEADER is a special method of planning development and projects, which began to be implemented in the countries of the European Union in 1991. In the years from 1991 to 1996, Integrated rural development and village renewal (CRPOV) were implemented. In Slovenia, we became acquainted with the implementation of this method and thus with the use of LEADER funds in the 2007-2013 programming period through the Local Action Group of the Upper Vipava Valley and the Komen Karst, where the municipalities of Ajdovščina and Vipava were joined by the municipality of Komen. In the next programming period 2014-2020, the LAG area was transformed and with the renaming into the Vipava Valley LAG, it now covers the areas of the municipalities of Ajdovščina and Vipava. During this period, it implements projects under the CLLD (Community-led Local Development) approach, where two funds are available: the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Regional Development Fund. A strategy for agricultural and rural development for the entire Vipava Valley is being prepared, which will also include components for adapting to climate change.

Among farmers, the Regional Development Agency ROD Ajdovščina is also recognizable as the supplier of packaging for fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables and crops originating in the Vipava Valley within the market sub-brand “Originally from the Vipava Valley”.

Rural projects of previous years:

LAG Vipava Valley

Management of the Local Action Group of the Upper Vipava Valley and the Komen Karst

VALO-PT Comprehensive development of typical agricultural products in the cross-border area

VINUM EST – “Integrated and Sustainable Development of Small European Wine Areas in Border Regions”

Establishment of the Rural Development Core (PRJ) in Vipava: Rural Development Center TRG Vipava