”But what do you do then?”
”"It depends on the day and mood. Sometimes with complicated bureaucracy, rigid authorities, difficult-to-interpret regulations and those ossified Excel templates.".
But sometimes – and much more often – I work with those problem solvers who have identified a problem, figured out a solution and are going to work with others to make their place a little better. They have often come a long way and put in a lot of time when I have the privilege of meeting them and then because they are looking for money to implement the plan.
With us it's called support and grants, but it's actually investment money. Leader invests in really good development ideas, quite simply. (Although it's not that simple, I know, those of you who have tried to fill in budget templates, report time, assess reasonableness, requisition, etc. don't need to scream out loud. I know.)
To clarify the leader method, I usually tell you about a small sports facility in the middle of the Skåne countryside. This particular facility has been planned, built, operated and is constantly being developed by an association in the village, which in addition to the facility includes everything from exercise bingo to yoga and thus has a membership almost as large as there are residents in the village. And that is why it is the village's facility. You don't wait for "someone else", preferably the municipality, to come and clean, repair minor damage, put up signs or plant spring flowers. You are not disturbed by the noise that inevitably arises when many people do things together, instead you are proud of the evidence that it is a living village. Which you have made even more attractive together.
The fairly successful Per Gessle talked about why he prefers to play in a band to being a solo artist. He said that it's so cool when one plays the piano, one is the best guitarist, one keeps the beat on the drums, bass loop and maybe some vocals on top of that. Everyone is good at their own thing and together they create music. So if you compare the individual musicians to rural problem solvers, then Leader can be compared to the basement room where you rehearse in order to become so great together. We provide facilities for those who have decided to develop their place on earth, quite simply!”
Ann-Charlotte Thornblad. Business Manager Leader Skåne Mid Northwest & MittSkåne Development