New publication showcases Czech CLLD experience as a model for inclusive, place-based development across Europe
Community-led Local Development (CLLD) provides a proven framework for empowering local partnerships, integrating public and private action, and ensuring that development reflects the real needs of people and places. Explore a new brochure outlining key messages from the conference ‘CLLD – prosperous communities: opportunity for a shared future 2028+’ (31 March–1 April 2025).
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Read the publication for an overview of the Czech Republic’s experience demonstrating the strength of a multi-fund and multi-sectoral model, integrating resources from five operational programmes, including social, regional and rural development policies, to support social inclusion, job creation, and sustainable local economies. This model enables flexible, cross-sectoral responses to challenges such as demographic change, access to services, youth outmigration, and the green and digital transitions.
The publication sets out several recommendations for the post-2027 period, including:
- Institutionalising integrated, territorial, place-based approaches as one of the fundamental principles of EU cohesion policy;
- Maintaining multi-fund financing and the multisectoral approach on national level and expanding them to the European level;
- Enhancing vertical and horizontal communication among Local Action Groups (LAGs), ministries, and regional authorities, and reinforcing the role of LAGs as knowledge entities;
- Enhancing the European Commission’s capacity-building activities for ESF+ and ERDF managing authorities to ensure smoother fund coordination and implementation.
- Simplifying administrative frameworks.
Read the publication also for a range of examples of LAG activities supporting social work – including for vulnerable families, informal carers, and community well-being – energy counselling, youth engagement, and CLLD-urban initiatives.
The brochure is an output from the CLLD Conference organised by the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministries of Agriculture and Regional Development, and the National Network of Local Action Groups. It gathered over 300 stakeholders from Czech, EU and international institutions, academia, municipalities, and civil society.
Author: Renáta Kučerová, Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
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Within the Czech CLLD model, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) plays a central role in fostering social inclusion, employment, and community resilience. Through ESF+ support, LAGs implement projects that address the needs of vulnerable groups, promote equal access to opportunities, and strengthen local labour markets. The fund enables innovative, community-based social services – such as counselling, care for informal carers, and initiatives for youth engagement and upskilling – ensuring that no one is left behind in the rural and territorial development process. ESF+ interventions also contribute to building human capital and social cohesion, complementing investments from other funds by focusing on people and their capacities. |