The LAG of “Cape Santa Maria di Leuca” is a public-private limited company with responsibility principally for the promotion of the history, culture and natural environment of the southern Salento region that lies between both the Adriatic and the Ionian seas.  It also has a duty to evaluate local businesses.

The GAL is responsible for and project leader of the local development plan “Rural Development of the Land of two seas”, under the auspices of the Operative Programme L.E.A.D.E.R.+.  The region covered by the plan comprises of 17 local communities within the southern part of the province of Lecce they are: Acquarica del Capo, Cutrofiano, Giuggianello, Giurdignano, Minervino di Lecce, Otranto, Poggiardo, Ruffano, Salve, Sanarica, San Cassiano, Santa Cesarea Terme, Specchia, Supersano, Tricase, Ugento and Uggiano la Chiesa.  Together these form a region covering 547,77 km2, with a population of 98,111 inhabitants, lying between the Ionian and the Adriatic coasts of Salento.

Projects realised by LAG

1) LEADER I

This first L.E.A.D.E.R. programme (1992 – 1996) was an important phase in the development of the region around Cape Santa Maria di Leuca and involved the setting up and realisation of 110 mini projects within an area covering 19 local communities (Alessano, Andrano, Castrignano del Capo, Castro, Corsano, Diso, Gagliano del Capo, Montesano Salentino, Morciano di Leuca, Ortelle, Patu, Poggiardo, Ruffano, Salve, Santa Cesarea Terme, Specchia, Spongano, Tiggiano and Tricase).

The most important achievements of these projects were those in the practically unrecognised field of agriculture, where 5 new businesses were successfully established.  Developments took place within the sphere of the tourist industry with the hotel project “Residences in….” within Specchia’s historic town centre (this included the restructuring and restoration of 10 houses that were then designated reception areas, from the conversion of an old oil press into a restaurant offering typical local menus and dishes, to a post where tourists and visitors could discover Specchia (at type of tourist information centre)).

Further projects realised covered the important cultural history of the region, with the GAL assisting in the renovation of the Crypt of Saints Stephen of Vaste and Poggiardo; subsequently, the crypt formed part of a guided tour of the region.  Under the maintenance of important elements of regional, cultural history, the GAL supported repairs to the ancient city walls within the historic town centre of Specchia.

With the L.E.A.D.E.R. programme, the GAL also realised projects in the area of environmental protection and preservation, with work on developing the local woods at Cardigliano and the Oak tree dell of Querce Vallonee at Tricase.  The GAL also supported and helped in the development of small businesses and local artisans.  In total the GAL invested around 2.7 million
Euros in these local projects.

With LEADER, GAL was able to work decisively within the local region around the Cape of Leuca and become a reference point for several local businesses, local administration and young people in the area.  The GAL itself was formally recognised by the local institutions and was invited to present the programme model developed and used in the local region, at the “800 GAL in Talks” convention organised by the D.G. VI of the European Commission in Brussels.

2) LEADER II

During the period 1998 – 2001 the GAL, under the LEADER II programme had available as its resources for local projects around 6.8 billion Liras, of which 4.86 billion were for public projects and 1.94 billion for local beneficiaries.  By the end of the programme period (December 2001) the GAL registered an expenditure of approximately 85% of available funds (@5.8 billion Lira).  15 local communities benefited from the interventions under the LEADER II programme with around 100 minor projects being resourced for projects that protected the environment and were of cultural importance.  Beneficiaries also included, local businesses promoting rural tourism, craft workers and artisans, agriculture and foodstuffs and services, young people who had created new businesses and projects and who had applied to the GAL also for funding for research projects, marketing of products locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and technical advice.  The 15 communities involved in the programme were as follows:  Acquarica del Capo, Alessano, Andrano, Castro, Corsano, Diso, Gagliano del Capo, Ortelle, Poggiardo, Presicce, Ruffano, Salve, Specchia, Tiggiano and Tricase.

The GAL also helped in the transnational area by helping to realise tourism promotion projects together with the GALs from other member states of the European Union.  There were two projects “Vacation in Our European Village” and “Promotion of the Regions of Parallel 40”.  The first project was done in partnership with the following GALs; Kleinregion Feldbach (Austria), Anaptixiaki Eteria Parnona A.E. (Greece), North Pennines (Great Britain) and the tour operator Cyprus Village (Cyprus).  The second project was also undertaken in conjunction with other Gals; Sulcis and Baronie (Sardinia), GAL VATE (Calabria), the 17 GALs in Spain and 5 GALs in Portugal.

3) EQUAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE – “SOCIAL CRAFTS” PROJECT

The SOCIAL CRAFTS project is an Italian partnership project under the leadership of the GAL Santa Maria di Leuca.  Partners in the project are: Social Cooperative ELPENDU of Mola di Bari, APE (Association for the Promotion of Social Cooperation) of Naples, EX LIBRIS Cooperative of Bari.  On the transnational front social cooperatives in France and Slovakia also formed part of the partnership.
The main aim of SOCIAL CRAFTS was to use an experimental model and seek to help those most disabled or disassociated (needy) in society to re-enter not only socially but also work-wise. The project worked with the individual and sought to make the most of their personal abilities.  The final result was the setting up local arts and crafts activities and businesses and within these settings posts of  “employment” so that those most in need could discover new capacities within themselves within a structured and safe environment.

4) CQP Consortium “Quality Centre of Apulia”

The GAL helped promote the initiation of a new consortium within Apulia, the CQP (see above).  The objectives of this consortium was to “spread the news” to local town councils and community administrations, about the “Quality” mark and to realise local activities for helping unemployed young people and businesses.
The Consortium is available to offer help and support within a wide range of areas; formation, assistance, innovation, development.  It is a service available for both private and public applicants as well as for the individual as for associations and groups, and offers the highest level of professionalism and the most up-to-date resources.
It is funded by the European Social Fund and by the Region of Apulia.

Party Objectives

EETANAM S.A.  was established in 1988 as a society, and is comprised of public parties.  ETANAM S.A. is the equivalent to a state party in that:
a. it has the scope to sustain general interest in areas external to commerce and    industry;
b. it has legal standing.

The aim of the society is to sustain the development of the region of south Epirus, in particular within the spheres of tourism, local products and environmental protection.
The society’s constitution contains the following: the possibility for local producers to study within the technical and economic fields; technical and scientific support for local businesses; help with organisation, staffing, localisation and supply of raw materials and market research; creation of favourable conditions for the establishment of new initiatives; support for improving productivity; more efficient services; widening of the local network of infrastructures; support for agricultural development within the region; support for local developments; environmental preservation and protection.

Main Projects Realised by LAG

In the last 10 years ETANAM S.A. has achieved the following initiatives:

Projects realised with funding from the European Union.

• From 1993 until the end of 1996 under the programme LEADER  of Amvrakikos (a project worth 3,806,310 Euros).  The project involved the development of rural tourism and local products in the area around the gulf of Amvrakikos.
  
• From 1997 – 2001 programme LEADER II was used with a budget of (13,059,400 Euros) for the region of South Epirus (Preveza and Arta but excluding Parga).
  
• From 1999 – 2003 ETANAM S.A. was the party actuator for the region of Amvrakikos, for the Life - Nature project (with a budget of 2,136,400 Euros).
  
• From 2002 to present day ETANAM S.A. is the actuator of the programme LEADER + (budget 10,442,257 Euros).

• Within the “Ambient” project run by the local Greek Ministry, ETANAM S.A. participated in the evaluation and protection of the wetlands of Amvrakikos (budget 1,217,900 Euros) and the evaluation and protection of the Delta and Acherontas river with a budget of 1,056,400 Euros.
  
• For the provincial administration of Preveza and with the participation of the region of Epirus, ETANAM S.A. realised the “Promotion of Tourism in the Province of Preveza” project with a budget of 105,650 Euros from 1996 –1997.
  
• ETANAM S.A also worked in partnership with the administration of Arta and the University of Egeo on the project “Foundation of the Museum of Marine Life and Fishing implements from the area of Koprena” within the larger “Fish” project.  This had a budget of 431,400 Euros.
  
• Under the auspices of the wider “ECON OUVENTURE” project, and for the administration of the province of Preveza ETANAM S.A. led the technical and economic teams of the E.D.E.N project (this was a project about exchange of experiences in the projection of developing tourism with respect for the local environment).  The budget for this was 352,160 Euros.
  
• The INTERREG II programme, between Greece and Italy, had two main focus points and under the request from the administration of the province of Preveza ETANAM S.A. was responsible for supporting the realisation of the “Completion of the infrastructure of the Port of Preveza” with a budget of 190,755 Euros for the studies involved.  For the same administration ETANAM S.A acted as technical consultants for the realisation of the “Transnational Collaboration for the appreciation of the cultural history between Italy and Greece within their communities”.  This had a budget of 117, 390 Euros.
  
• The projects to provide two Reception areas for the communes of Arta and Preveza was also undertaken by ETANAM S.A. with a budget of 88,040 Euros for the project in Arta and 88,040 Euros for the project in Preveza, these projects were funded by the Ministry for Development.

Development Association of Halkidiki (LAG)
Al. Papadiamanti 20 63100 Poligiros, Northern Greece, Greece

Tel. +30 23741024407, +302371024314
Web: www.anetxa.gr
Email: info@anetxa.gr

• The Union of Halkidiki 's Municipalities.
  
• The Self-government of Halkidiki.
  
• The fourteen (14) Municipalities of Halkidiki
  
• The three largest Unions of Agriculture in Halkidiki.
  
• The Association of Halkidiki's Hotels.

• Developing and implementing projects in the socio-economic sector (locally, regionally, interegionally).
  
• Planning, project management of public actions and investments in land use, tourism, civilization, production, human and natural capital as well as environmental resources.
  
• Planning, management and supervision of private investments in production.
  
• Planning, management and implementation of actions in developing human resources.
  
• Technical and financial support of individuals and organizations (private and public) in developmental actions.
  
• Technical and developmental researches.
  
• Project management of investments realized in the productivity sector under the Greek investment law or the E.U initiatives
  
• Creation of national and transnational networks. (a. Information - exchange, experience - exchange and know-how -exchange networks b. joint actions' network and c. networks promoting transnational contacts between local and supra-local business circles, markets e.t.c.)

ANETXA SA provides technical and consulting services to:

• Local Authorities (Municipalities and Prefectures)
  
• Regional and Interregional Authorities
  
• Public sector (Greek Ministers and Public Organizations)
  
• European Organizations (E.U, E.I.B.)
  
• Individual investors (Private companies and individuals)
  
• National and International Networks
  
• Professional associations, cooperatives in the fields of:
  - Agricultural development
  - Small and Medium Enterprises (Investments market surveys etc.)
  - Tourism and cultural development
  - Protection and development of natural recourses and environment
  - Protection and restoration of cultural heritage
  - Research and development of high-tech centers and promotion of new   technologies.
  - Land use planning
  - International cooperation and activities

The company's permanent personnel rise up to 17 persons. In order to cover its needs ANETXA uses also an average number of 25 consultants (outside the company) in a regular basis.

1. Its main contracts supported and supervised by EU Directories, Greek Ministries and Public Organizations (Prefecture Authorities, Municipalities e.t.c.) concern implementation of actions in the sector of public procurements and constructions.
   
2. Not only is AN.ET.XA. S.A. responsible for the right implementation of the individual, private or the public investments technically, but has also the financial responsibility of the relevant projects.
   AN.ET.XA. S.A.is selected by E.U., Greek Ministries and Public Organizations, as an intermediate organization to transfer the subsidies to ones implementing the projects. It is to ANETXA that the overall financial management of the project is assigned.

Examplatory projects assigned to AN.ET.XA. S.A. demonstrating its concentrated experience in working E.U. Directives and relevant Greek national legislation are :

1. The Agricultural development and diversification project implemented in northern Halkidiki under the Community Initiative LEADER I, II and Leader+.
   
2. Management of solid wastes in the prefecture of Halkidiki (environmental project under the 2nd Community Framework Support GD XVI, XI of E.U.)
   
3. Center for the environmental upgrade and maintenance of the sewage cleaning stations that belong to the prefecture of Halkidiki. (Environmental project under the 2nd Community Support Framework G.D. XVI, XI).
   Signed by AN.ET.XA. S.A., Ministry of Environment and the prefectural authorities of Halkidiki, the project aims to establish a technologically advanced center that will offer technical support and maintenance to the units of sewage treatment located in Halkidiki. The project is being implemented by AN.ET.XA. SA.
   
4. Industrial change initiative center. Signed by AN.ET.XA. S.A., the Ministry of Development and the prefectural Authorities of Halkidiki , the project concerns the establishment of a technologically advanced office that will support SME/s in Halkidiki and thus ,achieve industrial change and adaptation.
   
5. Monitoring of EFTA Monasteries projects.
   The contract signed by AN.ET.XA. S.A., European Investment Bank and the Ministry of National Economy, concerns the monitoring of the implementation of (3) projects in Mount Athos area and (2) in Ormylia, . The objectives of the project are to restore, stabilize and install high-tech equipment. Having already completed three of the projects, AN.ET.XA. S.A. has presented exceptional work. Another contract concerning 9 Monasteries in Mount Athos and 1 Convent in the area of Ormylia, was signed in 1998 between AN.ET.XA. S.A., European Investment Bank and the Ministry of National Economy. ANETXA S.A. was the monitoring agent (consultant) for all the above projects, which have been completed during 2004.