LEADER as a driver of social resilience in rural communities

Rural communities across Europe are facing an increasingly complex set of pressures. Climate change, demographic shifts, migration, disinformation and security challenges are testing the capacity of rural areas to absorb shocks and adapt. 

A workshop organised by the EU CAP Network in Kaunas, Lithuania, on 16-17 June 2026 brought together LEADER stakeholders from across the EU to explore how LAGs can play a central role in building social resilience in rural communities.

The workshop assembled LAGs, managing authorities, national networks and project holders to examine both the concept of social resilience and its practical application in rural contexts. Discussions focused on how LAGs – through their embedded positions within rural territories and their established relationships with local communities, authorities and civil society – are well placed to strengthen the social fabric that enables communities to withstand and recover from crises.

Building long-term resilience

A key message from the workshop was that long-term resilience cannot be built through reactive responses alone. Sustained investment in local governance, community engagement, capacity building and cross-sector cooperation is essential for rural communities to anticipate and navigate crises. Participants shared practical examples from across Member States, including from eastern border regions, illustrating how LEADER has helped to address diverse challenges ranging from climate risks and migration pressures to civil preparedness and disinformation in rural areas.

Media literacy emerged as a particularly important component of social resilience. Access to reliable, locally relevant information and the ability to critically assess information sources are increasingly vital for rural communities navigating a complex information environment.

The workshop also underlined that social resilience is closely intertwined with the broader goals of the LEADER approach: community-led local development, participatory governance and the mobilisation of local assets and knowledge. Field visits to LAGs and projects in Lithuania offered participants concrete illustrations of how these principles translate into practice on the ground.

The Rural Pact Support Office will host a Good Practice Webinar on resilience in autumn 2026, bringing together rural practitioners and stakeholders to exchange experiences and learn from examples from across Europe. Follow the Rural Pact Community Platform for updates on when the expression of interest will launch.

Explore the latest Rural Pact resources on resilient rural areas.