EU rural areas: programmes led by local action groups and communities must be reinforced and simplified

The commission of natural resources (NAT) of the European Committee of the regions (CoR) discussed how post-27 LEADER and Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) programmes could contribute to better implementation of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas during the last meeting of the mandate on November 27. 

Looking ahead at the next CoR term of office 2025-2030, the NAT commission took stock of its contributions in the field of health, food, agriculture and tourism and is committed to further strengthen the voices of regions and cities in those policies, focussing on a single political objective: resilience. The NAT commission is prepared to work with the two new commissioners on preparedness and resilience of EU communities to look at all facets of crisis and disaster management.

As co-leaders of the Rural Pact, the NAT commission has launched a highly political debate on the disconnect between rural areas and European governance through a comprehensive study entitled ‘rural areas and the geography of discontent’, published on 5 February 2024.

Today, recalling on the growing feeling of marginalisation and Euroscepticism in EU’s rural areas, members of the NAT commission emphasized the potential of the LEADER method, subsequently covered by the CLLD (community-led local development) policy instrument through Local Action Groups (LAGs). This approach effectively mobilizes and empowers local actors to develop innovative and tailored strategies that promote EU’s fundamental values, such as citizen participation and social cohesion.

In an opinion on ‘How post-27 LEADER and CLLD programming could contribute to better implementation of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’, led by Thibaut GUIGNARD (FR/EPP), Mayor of Plœuc-l’Hermitage, members call for reliable financial support for CLLD-LEADER community-led local development in all Member States after 2027, fed by contributions from European structural funds under a single regulatory framework, simplifying the implementation of territorial strategies. They also call on the Council, the European Parliament and Member States to take the initiative to simplify and consolidate the procedures for implementing and managing the LEADER programme. Finally, the opinion encourages greater recognition of LAGs and the participation of young people and women in decision-making bodies of LEADER projects.

The opinion will be formally adopted during the February Plenary session of the CoR.

Quote

Rapporteur Thibaut GUIGNARD (FR/EPP), Mayor of Plœuc-l’Hermitage and President of LEADER France: “It is necessary to adopt a more tailored and flexible approach to rural development after 2027. We propose simplifying access to funding, notably through multi-fund coordination and new financing tools dedicated to local development. We also call for strengthening the strategic role of Local Action Groups (LAGs) by providing them with greater resources and autonomy. The LEADER programming post-2027 is a cornerstone for empowering rural communities across Europe. By consolidating Local Action Groups and promoting innovative and place-based strategies, we provide them with the tools and resources needed to tackle future challenges. It is crucial to fight for these strategies to have their rightful place in upcoming programming periods.”

Background

Further in the meeting, Yulia BARABANOVA, representing the European Commission DG AGRI, presented updates of the Digital Transition Toolkit for farmers and rural communities.

 

More information: European Committee of the Regions.