The Cooperation Awards celebrated exemplary LEADER projects, showcasing the power of collaboration across Europe. 33 submissions from 20 countries were sent in, gathering in total more than 180 partners, including non-EU participants like Canada and Cape Verde.
The projects were evaluated based on five key criteria: the quality of their partnerships, the impact and added value of LEADER, alignment with LEADER principles, sustainability, and transnational impact.
A jury, composed of Marta Marczis (AEIDL President), Tom Jones (ERCA President), Anita Selicka (ELARD Board Member), and Urszula Zelazny (LAG Dorzecze Bobrzy), had the delicate task of assessing applications and selecting winners.
Public Award: Tierra Minera
The Public Award gave the audience the opportunity to vote for the project that mattered most to them. In total, more than 4,100 online votes were cast.
A strong network of actors committed to cultural preservation and tourism innovation
This project gathers six LAGs from four provinces across three different regions of Spain.
“Tierra Minera” is an innovative and transformative project that revitalizes historic mining areas into vibrant tourism destinations across Spain. The
consortium’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the rich industrial heritage while fostering sustainable economic growth and community empowerment.
By integrating cutting-edge technology with authentic historical experiences, “Tierra Minera” offers a unique, immersive journey into Spain’s mining legacy with a touristic product. Users can explore underground galleries, interactive exhibits, and augmented reality applications, bringing the past to life in a dynamic and engaging way.
▶ Stakeholders involved in the project
Asociación Oficina de Fomento y Desarrollo de las Cuencas Mineras, Grupo de Desarrollo Rural Valle del Alto Guadiato, Asociación Montesur, Asociación para el Desarrollo Integral del Bajo Martín y Andorra Sierra de Arcos, Asociación para el Desarrollo Rural Integral de las Tierras del Jiloca y Gallocanta, Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Ribera Alta del Ebro.
1st Jury’s Choice Award: 5StarNature
The 5StarNature project is a collaborative initiative uniting four European
countries (Finland, Spain, Estonia and Italy) to develop international rural tourism events that highlight nature tourism in their respective regions. By networking local tourism entrepreneurs across borders, the project aims to share best practices and enhance the appeal of rural areas as tourist destinations.
Launched in 2018, with activities continuing through 2024, 5StarNature focuses on the rapidly growing sector of nature and rural cultural tourism. The project involves six LAGs working together to explore and improve opportunities for international tourism. Key activities include organising international project logo competitions, publishing best practice guides in multiple languages, conducting benchmarking visits to test tourism products, and utilising social media channels for event marketing and outreach.
▶ Stakeholders involved in the project
LAG Aktiivinen Pohjois-Satakunta ry (Finland), LAG Western-Harju (Estonia), LAG Järva Arengu Partnerid (Estonia), LAG Valli del Canavese (Italy), LAG Montagne Biellesi (Italy), LAG Valle del Ambroz (Spain)
2nd Jury’s Choice Award: Flourishing Destinations
“How can the local community thrive through tourism?” This was the central question of this transnational project. The project was based on a theoretical framework underpinning the new vision of tourism in Flanders that had the goal of envisioning a future that goes beyond simply attracting more visitors to a region or destination. Shifting from quantity to quality, focusing on the added value that tourism can bring. Through a co-creative approach, partners explored how tourism can contribute to the vitality and flourishing of the local community.
▶ Stakeholders involved in the project
Belgium, Meetjesland: LAG LEADER Meetjesland, Tourism Meetjesland, Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland, Tourism Flanders, Municipality of Assenede, Municipality of Sint-Laureins.
Scotland, Angus: LAG LEADER Angus, Angus Tourism Cooperative, Angus Council, Murton Trust.
Romania, Basinul Dornelor: LAG LEADER Basinul Dornelor, Community Safety and Mediation Center, Ecotourism Association Tara Dornelor.
International: Conscious Travel – Anna Pollock
3rd Jury’s Choice Award: Boergondische Buren
This project celebrates the shared Burgundian heritage and agricultural roots of cross-border farmers, fostering collaboration and creating new sales opportunities. Responding to farmers’ and entrepreneurs’ needs, it produced a comprehensive database of farm and regional products, connecting consumers and the hospitality sector to local goods.
Key outputs include a practical manual for cross-border trade, a strong entrepreneurial network facilitating knowledge exchange, and innovative agritourism partnerships linking producers with hospitality businesses. The project’s highlight is the “Niemandsland” watchtower, a public-designed symbol of shared history featuring sculptures and QR codes directing visitors to local producers, leaving a lasting legacy for tourism and community identity.
▶ Stakeholders involved in the project
EGTS Linieland van Waas en Hulst, Municipality of Stekene, Hulst, Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, Provincie Zeeland, Evides, Het Zeeuwse Landschap, Toerisme Oost-Vlaanderen, Toerisme Waasland, Bosgroep Oost-Vlaanderen Noord, EROV, Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland, ZLTO
