Pays du Périgord Noir

What Pays du Périgord Noir does

Pays du Périgord Noir is a non-profit territorial development association (association loi 1901) founded in 1988, headquartered in Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It functions as the official coordinating body for territorial development across 136 communes grouped into 6 intercommunalités (EPCI), covering approximately 83,136 inhabitants. The organization holds the statutory designations of Groupe d'Action Locale (GAL) and Pôle d'Equilibre Territorial et Rural (PETR), giving it a recognized legal framework for cross-municipal cooperation, European fund management, and strategic planning in this rural territory.

Its core activities span European structural fund administration (LEADER and the broader Volet Territorial des Fonds Européens), strategic planning output including the Schéma de Cohérence Territoriale (SCoT), operation of an 800m² training platform, management of a Résidence Habitat Jeunes (34 housing units, 45 beds), and a real estate marketplace targeting vacant properties. Digital services include MOOC-based training programs (with AI tools listed among curriculum topics), a local business directory, and tools supporting economic development and tourism. The organization also operates physical infrastructure (training platform, youth residence) that extends its role from pure coordinator into asset operator.

The business model is entirely public-sector funded: revenue derives from membership contributions of the 6 EPCI, operating subsidies from the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Département de la Dordogne, and administrative fees tied to European fund envelopes — €3.24 million for the 2023-2027 cycle, up from €1.69 million under the prior 2014-2020 LEADER cycle. The organization does not pursue commercial monetization; it functions as a public-purpose intermediary channeling EU, national, and regional funding into local development projects, while operating community-facing social and training infrastructure.

Name

Pays du Périgord Noir

Legal name

Pays du Périgord Noir

Website

https://pays-perigord-noir.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pays du Périgord Noir is a French non-profit territorial development association founded in 1988, coordinating public policy and European funding across 136 communes and 6 intercommunalités in the Dordogne department, while operating a training platform, youth residence, and digital services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Territorial Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Facilities Support Services (56121)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Territorial development services
• European funding management
• Rural economic development
• Vocational training facilities
• Intercommunal coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarlat-la-Canéda

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: Contributions from the 6 communautés de communes and municipalities that form the Pays du Périgord Noir territory.
2. Regional and Departmental Funding: Contractual funding from Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Département de la Dordogne through various development contracts (CDT, CRTE) and regional policies.
3. European Funding Management (FEADER/FEDER): Management and administration of European funds including LEADER program (1,693,910€ for 2014-2020) and Volet Territorial des Fonds Européens (3,244,234€ for 2021-2027) as a GAL (Groupe d'Action Locale).
4. Training Platform Rental: Rental fees for training facilities including rooms, technical workshops, and IT labs at the Sarlat training platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pays du Périgord Noir is a non-profit territorial development association that coordinates economic development, manages European and regional funding programs, and delivers training, housing, and digital support services across 136 communes and 6 communautés de communes in the Dordogne department. It operates an online real estate marketplace for vacant business premises (TrouveTonLocal/BLVE), an 800m² vocational training platform in Sarlat specializing in traditional building crafts, a 34-unit youth residence for young workers, and a digital skills program (#PérigordNoirOnLine) for local artisans and merchants.

Product overview

Pays du Périgord Noir operates as a territorial development association managing a portfolio of interconnected economic, training, housing, and planning products and programs across a rural territory of 83,136 residents in 136 communes. The core product set includes: (1) the TrouveTonLocal/BLVE online real estate marketplace for vacant commercial and industrial premises; (2) the Plateforme de Formation de Sarlat, an 800m² interprofessional training facility specializing in traditional building crafts; (3) the Résidence Habitat Jeunes, a 34-unit youth housing facility near the training platform; and (4) the ACP (Action Collective de Proximité) business support program. Supporting these are the European funding programs — the Volet Territorial des Fonds Européens 2021–2027 (€3.24M envelope) and the LEADER 2014–2020 program — and contractual frameworks with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (CDT) and the French State (CRTE). Digital services include #PérigordNoirOnLine (free workshops and MOOCs for local businesses on digital skills) and the Annuaire des Pros du Numérique directory. The SCoT territorial planning scheme rounds out the portfolio as a long-term planning tool for the 6 communauté de communes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TrouveTonLocal (BLVE – Bourse des Locaux Vacants d'Entreprises) Online real estate marketplace listing vacant commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties across the six communautés de communes for businesses and project holders seeking space.
• Plateforme de Formation de Sarlat (Training Platform) 800m² interprofessional training facility in Sarlat offering technical workshops, CACES-certified training areas, IT rooms, and seminar spaces for rent to vocational training organizations, specializing in traditional building crafts.
• ACP – Action Collective de Proximité Financial and animation support program for small businesses (TPE) with investment and development projects, part of the broader Artisanat Commerce territorial strategy covering digital transformation, energy renovation, recruitment, and business transmission.
• Résidence Habitat Jeunes du Périgord Noir 34-unit, 45-bed youth housing facility in Sarlat near the training platform, offering accommodation for young workers aged 16–30 in vocational training, apprenticeships, and first employment, with individualized support services.
• Volet Territorial des Fonds Européens (European Funds Territorial Component 2021-2027) Multi-fund European program (FEADER/LEADER + FEDER) for the 2021–2027 period, allocating €3,244,234 to the territory across four axes: resilience, social cohesion, economic attractiveness, and sustainable tourism, overseen by the GAL.
• Programme LEADER 2014-2020 Six-year European rural development program (FEADER-funded) with a €1,693,910 budget, co-financing projects in forestry, agriculture, local commerce, ESS, territorial innovation, and young active populations.
• #PérigordNoirOnLine Digital Skills Program Digital skills support program for local traders and artisans, offering free in-person workshops and online video MOOCs covering social media management, Google Business listings, e-reputation, email marketing, Canva, AI tools, and e-commerce.
• Annuaire des Pros du Numérique Online directory listing local digital professionals (agencies, developers, photographers, designers, translators) serving businesses in the Périgord Noir territory.
• SCoT – Schéma de Cohérence Territoriale du Périgord Noir 20-year territorial coherence and urban planning scheme managed by the Syndicat Mixte du SCoT, covering 136 communes and 6 communautés de communes, defining major land-use, housing, mobility, and environmental orientations.
• Territoires d'Industrie Brive – Tulle – Périgord Noir State-labeled industrial development initiative supporting the territory's industrial performance through coordinated public and private action, including an industrial ecology and territorial (IET/EIT) study and roadmap.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44 projects supported through LEADER 2014-2020 program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CC Domme Villefranche du PérigordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six communautés de communes forming the Pays du Périgord Noir territory. Participates in collective economic development initiatives, LEADER program, and shared services including training platform and youth housing.
• CC Pays de FéneloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six communautés de communes forming the Pays du Périgord Noir territory. Co-finances territorial development projects and participates in European funding programs.
• CC Sarlat-Périgord NoircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost community for the Pays headquarters, training platform, and Résidence Habitat Jeunes. Master builder for the youth housing project on behalf of all six EPCI.
• CC Terrassonnais Haut Périgord NoircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six communautés de communes forming the Pays du Périgord Noir territory. Active in industrial development (Territoires d'Industrie program) and economic initiatives.
• CC Vallée Dordogne Forêt BessèdecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six communautés de communes forming the Pays du Périgord Noir territory. Participates in forestry and agricultural sector development programs.
• CC Vallée de l'HommecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six communautés de communes forming the Pays du Périgord Noir territory. Hosts cultural heritage and tourism development initiatives including firelighter craft preservation.
• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional authority managing European funds (as authority of management) and providing contractual funding through CDT, CRTE, and other regional development programs. Key financial partner for territorial projects.
• Département de la DordognecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartmental authority providing financial support for territorial development projects and participating in governance through elected representatives.
• Association Nationale des Pays et PaysagesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of French Pays organizations providing networking, best practice sharing, and national-level advocacy for territorial development approaches.
• Fédération des SCoTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation of SCoT (Territorial Coherence Schemas) providing expertise and resources for spatial planning coordination across territories.
• LEADER FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of French LEADER groups. Since 2023, LEADER France holds the presidency of ELARD (European LEADER Association for Rural Development).
• ELARD (European LEADER Association for Rural Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean association connecting LEADER groups across EU. Pays du Périgord Noir participates in GAL congresses and transnational cooperation projects (e.g., with Luxembourg's Mëllerdall GAL).
• La French Tech PérigordcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for #PérigordNoirOnLine digital skills workshops, providing expert facilitation and digital transformation support for local businesses.
• Association AlthéacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHousing management partner operating the Résidence Habitat Jeunes, providing individualized support for young residents' life projects including CV building and administrative procedures.
• BTP CFA Nouvelle-AquitainecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVocational training provider operating at the Sarlat training platform, offering construction and building trades courses with specialization in traditional building crafts.
• AIFS (Association Interprofessionnelle en Sarladais pour la Formation)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining organization providing vocational courses at the Sarlat training platform, complementing BTP CFA offerings.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• GAL Mëllerdall (Luxembourg): Confirmed transnational cooperation partner of Pays du Périgord Noir under LEADER; Luxembourg rural territory executing similar EU programme cycles with comparable scope and instruments.
• Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin: Regional Natural Park in the same Périgord area with overlapping missions in territorial planning, biodiversity-led economic development, and EU programme execution; operates as a syndicat mixte with similar public-funding model.

Others

• LEADER France: National association of French LEADER GALs and a confirmed Pays du Périgord Noir partner; provides the umbrella network and policy advocacy context for GAL operations across France.
• BGE Périgord: Local business support association (a confirmed Pays partner) that provides SME coaching, training, and creation support — overlapping with the ACP and digital training components of Pays du Périgord Noir.
• Association Nationale des Pays et Paysages: National federation of French Pays organizations — a confirmed Pays du Périgord Noir partner — offering best-practice sharing and advocacy relevant to territorial development associations.
• Initiative Dordogne (Réseau Initiative France): Local branch of a national network providing SME financing and accompaniment; partially overlaps with the ACP and small-business support component of Pays du Périgord Noir's economic development offer.

Direct peers

• PETR du Périgord Vert: Adjacent territorial development structure (Pôle d'Équilibre Territorial et Rural) covering the northern Dordogne, with a similar mix of EU programme management, SCoT planning, and economic development coordination across rural communes.
• Pays du Grand Quercy: Another French "Pays" association in Occitanie/New Aquitaine border area performing analogous EU fund management (LEADER/FEDER), territorial contracting, and SME support functions for a multi-EPCI rural territory.
• Pays Médoc: Another French Pays association combining territorial development, LEADER programme delivery, and economic strategy coordination for rural communes — a structural and functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• CCI Dordogne: Chamber of Commerce and Industry covering the same Dordogne territory; addresses economic development and business support with a broader, more commercial remit, overlapping with Pays du Périgord Noir's economic mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PPerigordNoir
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwo1vR6uycSKOMHQFKJzfkw/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pays-du-perigord-noir

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pays du Périgord Noir