It is a program of the European Union, which emerged in the early 90s of the twentieth century, countermeasures to the growing problems of the European countryside: the dangers caused by mass development of extensive agricultural production, reducing the number of farms (especially those small family), the gradual desertification of rural areas, fading traditions and values of rural communities. The growing gap between the countryside and the city gave birth to the need to support rural development by the European Union. In this way, was the LEADER initiative. Name of LEADER is the acronym of the French name of the Liaison Entre Actions de Development de l? Economie Rurale, which means the relationship between measures of rural economic development, namely the cooperation between various actors in the countryside or rural development and its inhabitants.

In 1991 started the implementation of a new method consisting of multi-faceted rural development as a place not only agricultural production but also development of other sectors of the economy, a good place to live, preserving natural and cultural riches. Novelty of this approach was also extensive involvement of local residents in the development of his? Little homeland?.
This new form of action, with financial support from the EU budget quickly brought the desired results, proved to be an effective way to deal with the rural issues.

The method of the program can be effective when used rules LEADER:

Community Initiative, LEADER has been created and used as a kind of experiment but quickly found many supporters and triggered a huge potential in the European inhabitants of the village. Is now widely used in many European regions and gives visible results sustainable, integrated rural development. In the countries of the old 15 European Union operate 892 Local Action Groups in 73 programs. In nine countries are the national programs and in six - programs developed and supported by regional authorities.

Poland entered the European Union structures in 2004, when the LEADER + program (for 2000- 2006) was implemented, and only through the efforts of many institutions and organizations involved in rural development occurred a Pilot Program in the LEADER +. Institution responsible for the shape of this action is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development while engaged in the implementation of the Foundation of Assistance Programs for Agriculture (FAPA). 
The pilot program LEADER + has been divided into two phases- schemes. The first one carried out in late 2005 and in 2006 was designed to prepare local communities to work together to build the organizational framework in the form of Local Action Groups. 
Villagers who want to work in mainstream leader must first know and understand the rules, then learn to work in partnership, carry out joint projects involving representatives of three sectors: social, economic and public life. A new form of action involving a comprehensive look at the area, not through the prism of their village or community, their institution or company but a much broader, addressing the needs of the wider community, and much more development possibilities. Therefore, the action PPL + in the first schema resources were used to build the structure of the LAG and the Integrated Rural Development Strategy. LAG could take the form of foundations, associations, or associations connection. The financial support for the establishment of LAGs could apply for and schedule local rural and urban-rural or their associations, legal persons: foundations, associations and unions and NGOs. LEADER + Pilot Program was implemented in rural communities or urban-rural, the area inhabited by 10 to 100 thousand inhabitants (an area of at least one seat). To the scheme joined 174 beneficiaries. In this scheme, did not participate, none of the municipalities, which then formed the Lower Vistula River Bend LAG.

The schedule II of the Pilot Program will pursue a Leader + project "The use of cultural and natural heritage area of the Lower Vistula Loops." This project consists of 11 sub-projects. All persons interested co-realization or activities under these projects are invited to contact the persons listed below:

1. Revitalize recreation areas as centers of cultural village- Teresa Matuszewska, Unislavia, tel. 48 56 686 61 76, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2. Agrotourism as an opportunity to develop multifunctional farms - study visits, seminars- Jerzy Tomkiewicz, Dąbrowa Chełmińska, tel. 48 52 38 16 152, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

3. Energy crop - seminars to promote alternative energy sources and environmental issues among farmers and other inhabitants of LAGs- Sebastian Kendra, Pruszcz, tel. 48 52 56 28 672, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Preparation of documentation for the investments to improve the quality of life in the cultural and social life - Marek Chojnacki, Unislavia , tel. 48 56 686 60 06, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5. Edition calendar of cultural events and sports from the area of the LAG ZDW - Barbara Paczka, Pruszcz, tel. 48 52 562 87 17, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

6. Cycle of feasts of inter - Barbara Gandziarowska, Dąbrowa Chełmińska, tel. 48 52 381 60 05, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

7. Conducting training in methods of cultivation, processing and marketing of local products- Mariola Epa, KPODR in Przysiek, tel. 48 56 611 09 20, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8. Traditional crops in the region of Vistula River Bend meanders preserve the tradition and use in order to obtain additional sources of income of rural residents (study visits, training)- Robert Gonia, The complex of the Lower Vistula Valley Landscape Park, tel. 48 52 33 15 000, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

9. Promotion of local products under the banner of a reserved trade mark "Product of the Vistula River Bend"- Krzysztof Nowacki, Kijewo Królewskie, tel. 48 56 676 44 36,
   e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

10. An inventory of the natural resources, historical and cultural heritage and make their adjustment in terms of tourism development - Robert Gonia, The complex of the Lower Vistula Valley Landscape Park, tel. 48 52 33 15 000, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

11. Preparation and edition of the guide, maps and a website that promotes the attractions of the LAG area ZDW - Krzysztof Nowacki, Kijewo Królewskie, tel. 48 56 676 44 36, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ADVICE
We also provide a free consultancy services to prepare an investment project is in line with the objectives of the Integrated Rural Development Strategy

Poland joined the European Union in 2004, in connection with this program LEADER + "started" in the form of pilot program, and met with great interest of rural communities. The first stage of implementation of LEADER was to build partnerships, or local action groups in rural areas. ...
 

Local Action Group "Lower Vistula River Bend" is a partnership arrangement of people and institutions interested in rural development and improving quality of life. Partnership set  in February 16, 2006 and took the form of association, composed of representatives of municipalities, NGOs, enterprises, public institutions. It was established in consultation local residents and four neighboring municipalities:

Municipalities Dąbrowa Chełmińska  (bydgoski discrict)	Municipalities Kijewo Królewskie (chełmiński discrict)
Municipalities Zławieś Wielka (toruński discrict)	Municipalities Unisław (chełmiński discrict)