"Leader" approach and local development strategies in Slovenia

LEADER axis presents a novelty in the Slovenian agricultural policy. The main object of the current paper is to describe the implementation process of the 4th axis of Rural Development Programme of Slovenia in the period 2007-2013 and analysis of the Annual Implementation Plans for the year 2008 and 2009. In this programming period 33 Local Action Groups will operate. They cover 97% of rural areas and 94% of rural population in Slovenia. The analysis of local development strategies and annual implementation plans shows on the willingness of local citizens to take an active part in the development of rural areas in Slovenia.