La Rioja regulates the LEADER cooperation grants of the 2023-2027 European plan

The Government of La Rioja has regulated the LEADER cooperation grants of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 through Order AGM/49/2026, dated October 1, published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja number 191, dated October 5, 2026. The regulation, signed by counselor Noemí Manzanos Martínez, develops the entire cycle of cooperation projects and modifies the current regulatory bases of the LEADER intervention. It enters into force the day following its publication, October 6, 2026.

The provision, processed by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural World and Environment at the proposal of the General Directorate of Rural Development, responds to the fact that the previous Order AGM/46/2024, dated July 5, did not specifically develop the procedure, the technical and economic requirements, the execution, the monitoring, and the justification of cooperation projects. The European framework is established by Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and Spain’s CAP Strategic Plan, approved by the European Commission on August 31, 2022, via Decision C(2022) 6017.

The recipients are the Local Action Groups (LAGs) recognized in La Rioja: the European Center for Information and Promotion of the Rural Environment (CEIP), the Association for Rural Development of Eastern La Rioja (ADR), and the Association for the Development of Upper La Rioja (ADRA), preselected by Resolution 1085/2023, dated June 20, and whose strategies were approved by Resolution 213/2023, dated August 25.

Three modalities of cooperation

The order contemplates three forms of cooperation between territories:

• Intra-regional: projects composed exclusively of LAGs from La Rioja.
• Inter-regional: with the participation of LAGs from other autonomous communities and at least one from La Rioja.
• Transnational: with LAGs from other countries and at least one from La Rioja.

Each project must include at least one integrated common action, with a binding cooperation agreement signed by all partners and a designated coordinating group. The mere aggregation of parallel activities will not be considered a common action.

Up to 200,000 euros per project

The aid will cover 100% of the approved eligible costs, and the maximum amount will be 200,000 euros per cooperation project or for the participation of a Riojan LAG in joint and individual actions. The grants will be co-financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the competent Department.

For the preparation and closing phases, simplified flat-rate costs calculated on execution are applied:

• Intra-regional (minimum 2 LAGs): 7% for preparation and 5% for closing.
• Inter-regional (3 or more LAGs): 12% and 8%.
• Transnational: 20% and 10%.

Selection criteria and processing

The selection criteria prioritize the type of project (impact on employment and economic activity, non-existent services or products, demographic and housing impact, digitalization, environmental and cultural conservation), the number of participating LAGs, the transnational or inter-regional nature, and target groups such as women, youth, or immigrants. It will be necessary to obtain at least 30% of the maximum score.

Applications shall be submitted only electronically through the ‘PDR LEADER’ application. The resolution will be published in the BOR within six months from the end of the application period, with negative administrative silence; the maximum extension will be three months, and delays in justification will be penalized at 1% per calendar day for up to 20 days.

Changes to the current guidelines

The sole additional provision modifies Order AGM/46/2024. Among other changes, it revises the Rural Ticket for the creation of non-agricultural micro-enterprises: the base premium will be 15,000 euros, payable in two installments of 10,000 and 5,000 euros, and will be increased by 5,000 euros in municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. It also excludes certain municipal infrastructures and actions on rural roads, water supply, or public lighting from the subsidy.

The new regulation provides legal coverage for a key instrument of rural development in La Rioja and conditions the next call for aid: LAGs must adapt their cooperation projects to the technical, governance, and justification requirements set by the order to access EAFRD European funds.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, no. 191, October 5, 2026, section I (General Provisions), page 16753 (official reference: BOR-A-20261005-I–82).