• Objective 1

    amplify the voice of rural areas to bring them higher on the political agenda
Description

We believe in the power of CLLD and the LEADER approach to create thriving, resilient rural areas. However, without dedicated and sufficient EU funding, these tools are at risk.

That’s why we launched a petition to raise our voices and adocate for what we believe in. With this, we demand for LEADER/CLLD to be recognised as a horizontal tool for territorial cohesion and that a dedicated, ring-fenced budget be secured across relevant EU funds in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), beyond the Common Agricultural Policy alone.

At a time when rural areas, whether they are coastal, insular, remote, mountainous or internal, face increasing challenges—ranging from economic stagnation to demographic shifts and digital exclusion—the petition urges EU policymakers to secure long-term financial stability for LEADER/CLLD, expand its role beyond agriculture, and strengthen its position as a participatory governance tool for territorial cohesion and democratic engagement

The petition can be signed here https://elard.eu/a-stronger-future-for-rural-europe_landing/

Commitment's information

Themes
  • Democracy and participation
  • LEADER/CLLD
  • Stronger Rural Areas
    • Stakeholder beneficiary(ies)
    • Citizen
    • Local Action Group
    • National Rural Network
    • Non-governmental / civil society organisation
    Activities
    • Communication and/or Advocacy
    Expected Outcomes
    1. Reaching 1 000 000 signatures in Europe and neighbouring countries using LEADER-CLLD
    2. Raising the voice of rural citizens (and rural lovers) on the importance of participatory tools to development.
    3. Ensuring that these tools remain in the next MFF and are given more ressources to be implemented

    Main results

    Number of people

    134400000

    Number of projects

    1

    Final results
    • Stable and sufficient financial support for LEADER/CLLD by is ensured in the next MFF
    • LEADER/CLLD is expanded beyond the Common Agricultural Policy
    • Multi-fund is made easier via a harmonised regulatory framework across all EU funds, with unified rules for financial management, auditing, and reporting.
    • LAGs are recognised as key territorial governance actors, essential for crisis response, digital and green transitions, and countering disinformation in rural areas.
    • LEADER/CLLD is strenghened in candidate and neighbouring countries as a tool for democratic engagement and social resilience.

    Organisation/Company information

    European LEADER Association for Rural Development

    Non-governmental / civil society organisation
    • 1-10
    • European
    TOPICS OF INTEREST
    Democracy and participation
    Status
    Ongoing
    Further details
    Scope of action
    European
    Beneficiary country
    European Union
    Type of territories
    Rural area, Remote rural area, Inland area, Mountainous area, Coastal area, Island, Outermost region