International Conference - LINC 2012 LINC - Leader Inspired Network Community 12−14 June 2012 and South Estonia

The Tartu Rural Development Association is organizing the “LINC 2012” Conference in cooperation with the Rural Economy Research Centre bureau (Estonian NRN) and South Estonian Leader action groups Piiriveere Leader, Põlva County Partnership Board, Valga County Partnership Board and Võru County Partnership Board.

LINC is an annual European Leader Conference arranged by LAGs (Local Action Groups) and National Network Units for rural development in Austria, Germany, Estonia and . Leader is a European Union programme that fosters life in rural areas with initiatives from local people and in accordance with the area’s development strategy.

The aim of the conference is to present the results of the Leader approach achieved by innovative methods; to foster the networking of rural developers, the exchange of experiences among the representatives of European Leader areas, and international cooperation; and to draw attention to the importance of local cuisine, tourism and other issues crucial to rural areas.

The slogan of the conference is:

Get informed – distribution of appropriate information Get inspired – mutual learning from each others’ valuable experience Get involved – learn about each others’ versatility

“LINC” stands for:

• LEADER • Inspired • Network • Community

Among other things, the conference in Estonia draws special attention to the relationships created through the Leader approach to volunteer work, and introduces projects carried out using the Leader method in South Estonia.

The first conference was held in Austria 2010, and the second one took place in Germany 2011. In 2012 the conference is being held in Estonia, in 2013 it will be held in Finland and in 2014 it will return to Austria. Nearly three hundred developers of rural areas and rural life from all European Union Member States have taken part in every conference.

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Tuesday, 12. June 2012 Tartu Town Hall Square and AHHAA Science Centre 14.00 Arrival in Tartu. Hotel check -ins starting from 14:00 17.45 Brass band performance at Tartu Town Hall Square 18.00 LINC 2012 opening speeches at Town Hall Square, followed by a procession through the city centre • Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republic of Estonia • Helir-Valdor Seeder, Minister of Agriculture • Reno Laidre, Tartu County Governor • Urmas Kruuse, Mayor of Tartu • Organisers of LINC LINC 2012 opening ceremony at AHHAA Science Centre: 20.00 Welcome of the conference participants • Petri Rinne, representative of the European Leader Association for Rural Development (ELARD) • Representative of the European Commission’s Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development • Representatives of the LINC project from Austria, Germany, Finland and Estonia 20.20 –20.30 Introduction of the conference structure and programme 20.30 –21.00 Introduction of international Leader-cooperation projects started during previous LINC conferences between Austria, Germany, Finland and Estonia 21.00 Dinner Wednesday, 13. June 2012 8.00 -9.00 Participant registration at Dorpat Conference Centre 9.00 –9.10 Opening the seminar day 9.10 −10.30 Theoretical workshops, Part I These sessions run concurrently and cover voluntary work and involvement through five different topics: • Local cuisine • Youth and seniors • Rural tourism • Community services • Local resources and renewable energy

10.40 -12.00 Theoretical workshops, Part II • Local cuisine • Youth and seniors • Rural tourism • Community services • Local resources and renewable energy LINC sports programme in Mammaste, Põlvamaa

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12.00 −12.40 Free time to prepare for the sports programme and to change into sports clothes 13.00 Buses leave the lower parking lot of Theatre to Mammaste, Põlva County 14.00 -15.00 Lunch in Mammaste 15.00 −19.00 LINC 2012 sports competitions: orienteering, disc-golf, individual relay competition, boat race (and kiiking opportunities) 19.00 -20.00 Buses bring participants back to Tartu 21.30 European Buffet at restaurant-pub Gunpowder Cellar (Püssirohukelder). Every country introduces the special cuisine of their region, party night, music by VEM Thursday, 14. June 2012 9.00 Buses leave from the lower parking lot of Vanemuine Theatre to Practical Workshops in the form of voluntary work in four South-Estonian regions: • The Onion Route Culture of Russian Old Believers, Baltic-German culture, Estonian peasant culture. Community work at the Liiv Museum. • Valgamaa Kivimäe Tourism Farm, Taagepera Handicraft Workshop. Community work at the Taagepera Handicraft Workshop with the substitute home and the nursing home of the Taheva sanatorium. Otepää: Tehvandi observation tower and skiing museum, energy column, Pühajärv. • Setomaa Uue-Võhvi Centre, which was built with the support of the Leader programme. Community work at the Seto Farm Museum, and getting acquainted with the culture of the Setos. A viewing of the Värska skate park. • Võrumaa Tsolgo Community Centre, which was funded by the Leader programme. Community work around the centre. The trip includes a tour of sites and facilities supported by the LEADER programme, hands-on involvement in volunteer projects, and introductions to regional cultures. 17.00 Return to Tartu Festive final ceremony of the LINC conference at AHHAA Science C entre 19.00 • Findings of the Theoretical Workshops • Awards to the best participants in the sports competitions • Dinner • Final speeches and the introduction of the host country of the next LINC conference – The handing over of the flag to Finland

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Organisers:

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