How are the projects assessed?
– The projects are assessed using these selection criteria
To assess an application as complete, it must contain several important parts. A well-designed project description constitutes one of these parts, along with a detailed budget and documentation explaining how costs have been estimated.
Depending on the nature of the project, it may also be necessary to include maps, obtain permissions from landowners, and gather other relevant documents. By ensuring that all these parts are included in the application, the chances of approval and obtaining the necessary support to carry out the project increase.
Conditions, selection criteria, and scoring
The board uses the goals and focus areas in the development strategy as guidance to establish the prioritization of the projects. These goals and focus areas are then translated into selection criteria that form the basis for the board's decisions. For each application, the board carefully reviews the application according to these criteria and conducts a collective assessment by assigning scores. After the assessment, the projects that reach a score above a clearly defined threshold for approval are prioritized.
What factors affect the possibility of obtaining support?
New prioritization order for new project applications
As of November 27, 2025 new guidelines apply for how Leader Lappland 2030 prioritizes incoming project applications.
Due to the budget starting to become limited, our board has decided to implement a clearer prioritization order. This means that we – in addition to our usual basic conditions and selection criteria – will now also base our decisions on a specific governing document that states how we should prioritize between incoming applications.
What does this mean for you as an applicant for support?
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The new order applies only to new project applications submitted after November 27, 2025.
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It does not apply if you want to apply for.
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extended support for an already granted project Projects submitted before that date.
will be handled just as before, based on the ordinary selection criteria.
Do you have questions about how this affects your application? Please feel free to contact our development office – we are happy to help clarify what applies!
- Prioritization criteria.
- Only one project may be ongoing at a time per applicant organization.
- Project applications that have support from other funds/grants or in other ways can "leverage" project support in other ways (30 points)
Project applications that contribute to the goal fulfillment of Leader Lappland's development strategy where there is currently low goal fulfillment are prioritized (15 points/criterion),
1 New businesses,
2 Preserved employment,
3 New leisure and cultural activities,
4 Project participants who apply new knowledge in practice,
5 Projects driven by youth,
6 New service solutions,
7 New employment seasonal work,
8 New employment for individuals under 25 years,
9 organizations in new networks,
10 initiatives that promote recreational fishing,
11 new activities outside the peak season.
1 – Basic conditions
Step 1 in the assessment
The project must meet all basic conditions
The project is carried out in collaboration
To receive support from Leader Lappland 2030, the project must be implemented in collaboration with other actors. This ensures an efficient and well-coordinated process, promotes creativity, increases engagement, and reduces the risk of resource shortages.
Connection to the local development strategy
Your project should benefit the Leader Lappland area and be clearly linked to one of the strategy's focus areas. The application needs to demonstrate how the project contributes to achieving the goals and strategies for the area.
Well-developed project plan
A well-thought-out and clear project plan is crucial. The application must be structured so that the board can assess the project without making interpretations or ”reading between the lines.” The project's budget must have a clear connection to planned activities and show how goals and results will be achieved. Openness and non-discrimination must permeate the application.
Local anchoring and bottom-up perspective
The project must be locally anchored and based on the needs of those affected. Local engagement is important, and the project idea should originate from those involved and be supported by those who live and work in the area.
Volunteer resources
The project must include volunteer resources, such as labor, materials, or premises that are not funded by the project. Volunteer efforts must correspond to at least 20% of the requested amount. Time for individuals over 16 years old is valued at 340 kronor per hour. Time for individuals between 13 and 15 years old is valued at 77 kronor per hour.
Clear delimitation from regular operations
The project must be clearly delineated from the regular operations of the applicant and any partners. The project must not be part of recurring or ongoing maintenance.
Complete application
A correct and fully completed application is fundamental. The application must include a clearly described budget, as well as a plan for any external co-financing. The application must also be signed by an authorized signatory and include a letter of intent when collaborating with other parties. The project's target group must be clearly defined.
No double funding
It is important to ensure that the project does not receive financial support from the municipality, state, or EU during implementation.
Dissemination of project results
The project must have a plan for how the results will be disseminated outside the organization. A clear description of how the project activities will be communicated and the results shared with other actors is crucial.
Implementation capacity
Implementation capacity means that the project has the right competence, sufficient experience, and personnel resources to successfully carry out the project. There must be a clear division of roles and responsibilities, as well as a plan for how finances and administration will be managed. The application must contain a concrete and realistic description of the implementation capacity, including a plan to ensure sufficient liquidity during the project's course (at least 20 % of the requested support). The LAG board assesses whether the project's implementation capacity is sufficient to achieve the set goals.
The project's resources and results should benefit the area
The project's resources and results should, as far as possible, benefit the Leader Lappland area by, for example, buying locally, hiring locally, and including participants from the area.
Overall principles are considered
The application must demonstrate that the project considers the overarching principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, and gender equality between women and men. These principles must be integrated into the project's planning and implementation to create a responsible and sustainable development.
The budget is related to goals and activities
The project's budget must be realistically calculated and linked to the activities and goals described in the application. All cost items must be clearly justified and assessed in relation to the expected results and goals. The board reviews that the requested amount is proportional to the planned activities.
2 – General criteria
Step 2 in the assessment
The project must achieve at least 250 points in the general criteria
If the project has met the basic conditions and the requirement for the general criteria, the application proceeds for assessment within the specific criteria. Which criteria are used depends on which intervention area you have applied for the project within.
3 – Specific criteria
Step 3 in the assessment
At least 300 points must be reached for approval
At least 200 points must be reached for approval
At least 250 points must be reached for approval
At least 200 points must be reached for approval
Pilot study
If the project you are applying for is a feasibility study, it is assessed only in two steps. Step 1 is the basic conditions like other projects. Step 2 is specific criteria for feasibility studies.
