Creatively Promoting Networking
The transfer of knowledge, exchange of experience and learning from like-minded people are proven methods in the rural development, which have been supported within the framework of LEADER for many years. Many European-wide meetings and conferences were held during the LEADER-Periods between 1991 and 2006 and contributed to a social network development and formal strengthening as well as informal contacts among the LEADER Managers. The European LEADER Network is constantly growing and should ultimately facilitate project co-operation and partnerships in Europe and beyond.
New Ways of Networking
Along with LINC the Austrian initiators and the co-operation partners in Germany, Estonia and Finland want to break new ground with the building up of relationships between the European LEADER areas.
A productive transnational knowledge transfer on the subject of “innovation in rural development” will be combined with joint sport events by the participants. The idea behind it is: networking and exchange of experience do not only happen in seminar rooms and workshops. Common experiences in a relaxing atmosphere and a stimulating environment play a crucial role in building-up relationships between people and organizations. We see these planned sport events within in the scope of LINC as a valuable contribution to the strengthening of the transnational LEADER-relationships. Here is where LINC uses the often quoted “unifying force” of sport!
It is planned to hold this innovative European-wide conference annually in another member state. LINC 2010 will take place in Austria, since this idea was born in Austria. The LEADER area Hohe Salve declared itself ready to carry out the first event in Kirchberg, Tyrol.
In the coming years 2011 - 2014 this European event will be held in the following member states: Germany, Estonia, Finland and then in Austria again.

