ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the efficiency of the administrative structures of LEADER+ and the local action group (LAG) actors' satisfaction with the duration of application procedures. First, Finnish and German LAG members were asked to share their opinion on the efficiency of the decision-making and implementation structures of LEADER+. Decision-making authorities in Germany received an overall positive evaluation by the respondents to the questionnaire as to their impact on the time it took to process applications. In terms of decentralisation and partnership, putting the principle of tri-partition into practice was perceived by members of Finnish LAGs, decision-making authorities and the Finnish managing authority as a success. According to an interviewee from a decision-making authority, decision-making authorities in Niedersachsen examined potential projects, and only projects that had been agreed upon in advance with several Land authorities, such as ministries, were officially handed in as a project application.
