In the programming period 2014-2020 the LEADER Local Action Groups (LAG) are facing new challenges in finding new ways for effective planning, management and creating synergies to be prepared for the implementation of multi-funded community-led local development approach. The Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism of Szent István University carried out several landscape planning processes on rural areas with strong territorial focus, handling environmental and societal conflicts in a sustainable manner in the course of its educational programme. The Faculty members and the LAG for Living Balaton Uplands (Éltető Balaton-felvidékért Helyi Akciócsoport) have established a flourishing partnership to share information and gain practice in landscape based planning management and science communication among all the actors of rural development such as farmers, business people, local government, civil organizations, and of science, including researchers, planners and advisors. In our paper we highlight the results and experiences of this multiple co-operation in complex and integrated rural development planning process in two pilot micro-regions in Hungary.