Croatian LAGs and FLAGs adopt Brač Declaration calling for stronger LEADER/CLLD after 2027
Croatian Local Action Groups (LAGs) and Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) have jointly called for stable funding, stronger institutional recognition and greater autonomy for LEADER/Community-led Local Development (CLLD) after 2027. Their Brač Declaration sets out shared priorities for future EU and national policies.
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Adopted on 18 September 2026, the Declaration (available in English and Croatian) brings together, for the first time in Croatia, representatives of LAGs and FLAGs from across the country through their umbrella networks. It sets out proposals to strengthen community-led development in rural, coastal and fisheries areas within the future 2028-2034 EU policy and funding framework.
The initiative draws inspiration from the Jerez Declaration, endorsed by Spanish LAGs in June 2026, reflecting shared priorities for the future of LEADER/CLLD.
Key priorities of the Brač Declaration
The Declaration puts forward five principal demands:
- Stable, protected funding: a financial allocation of at least EUR 360 million for 2028-2034 to ensure continuity of LAGs and FLAGs and implementation of local development strategies, taking account of population, territorial coverage and specific needs;
- Multi-fund and cross-sectoral approaches: maintaining LEADER/CLLD as an integral and mandatory instrument within the common agricultural policy (CAP) and common fisheries policy (CFP), while extending its integration into cohesion and social policies;
- Institutional recognition and participation: formally recognising LAGs and FLAGs as autonomous local development actors and involving their umbrella networks throughout the preparation, implementation and evaluation of policies, including future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs);
- Administrative simplification: reducing bureaucracy, harmonising procedures and expanding simplified cost options, including lump sums and flat rates;
- Rural proofing: introducing mandatory assessments of policy impacts on rural, coastal and fisheries territories, with LAGs and FLAGs actively involved.
Mobilising support for the post-2027 framework
The signatories call on Croatian LAGs, FLAGs and their networks to use the Declaration in discussions with national authorities and Members of the European Parliament, and to engage local and regional stakeholders.
The Declaration contributes to the wider European discussion on maintaining and strengthening community-led approaches in the next EU programming period.