LEADER is not a sectoral development programme; the local development strategy must have a multi-sectoral rationale, integrating several sectors of activity. The actions and projects contained in local strategies should be linked and coordinated as a coherent whole. Integration may concern actions conducted in a single sector, all programme actions or specific groups of actions or, most importantly, links between the different economic, social, cultural, environmental players and sectors involved.

Sometimes explained as the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Its delivery in the LEADER programme is again dependent to a large extent on the Animation and Capacity Building work of the Local Action Groups. Integration between sectors and actors is a fundamental element of the LEADER programme.