The focus of LEADER II in Southwest Drenthe is on successful initiatives in various sectors. The priorities can be summarised as follows:

• the development of innovative projects aimed at the region; new crops, quality promotion and chain control in the agricultural sector.
• long-term business operation.
• nature management by farmers.
• ancillary activities in the tourist sector.
• optimising the opportunities for tourism in the region.
• by means of a more thematic approach, responding more effectively and attracting more tourists with regard to special regional aspects: its nature, landscape, history (of land clearance), archaeology, etc.
• the further development of agritourism through a more systematic approach; training, sample projects, cooperation, promotion, and integration into other product elements.
• promoting a broad tourist programme.
• reinforcement of existing small-scale business activity in the region through different forms of management support.
• attracting new, small-scale companies by, among other things, offering suitable premises.
• development of a care facility package which provides care suited to the individual.
• optimum distribution, cooperation and quality of primary education.
• further individualisation of facilities should be sought through the introduction of forms of public transport operating on a smaller scale.

Priority is given to projects:

• which contribute to the reinforcement of the natural image of Southwest Drenthe;
• which are of an integral nature. This means that the project contributes to several action points;
• which have a positive, or at least not a negative, impact on the environment.