Regions and cities propose new implementation tools to boost local development in rural areas

Local and regional leaders aim to foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable rural communities post-2027 by strengthening community-led local development (CLLD) and LEADER programs, simplifying funding and implementation processes, and ensuring rural priorities are embedded in all EU policies. This call was made in an opinion led by Thibaut Guignard, mayor of Ploeuc-l’Hermitage, and adopted by unanimity during the inaugural Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). 

Rural areas – representing more than 80% of the territory in the European Union (EU) – feel increasingly marginalised and left behind on the expense of urban areas. This is why the CoR emphasises the urgent need to strengthen rural development and territorial cohesion across the EU and highlights the success of the LEADER and CLLD approaches in empowering local actors and fostering territorial, economic and social cohesion.  

Regions and cities call for a more coherent and flexible approach to territorial development financing, integrating multiple EU funds while reducing excessive administrative barriers. The new implementation tools proposed would be based on a lead fund whose management regulations would apply to contributions from other mobilised funds and on a mandatory percentage of funding dedicated to CLLD in each fund concerned (“ring-fencing”), thus guaranteeing significant support for the most vulnerable territories. In addition, to ease financial constraints on local projects, the CoR advocates for pre-financing mechanisms, ensuring that small rural initiatives can access funding without significant upfront financial burdens and for the use of lump sum payments, which has demonstrated its effectiveness in countries such as Estonia and Poland.  

Local and regional representatives emphasise the need for stronger institutional recognition and support for Local Action Groups (LAGs) at national and regional levels. Encouraging greater participation from women and young people would reinforce democratic governance and local ownership of rural development initiatives. Increased investment in training programmes would also enhance project implementation while fostering innovation. 

Finally, the CoR calls for stronger EU oversight while preserving local autonomy. Regional leaders call for measures to encourage and step up the use of rural proofing when shaping European legislation and institutional frameworks, which will be discussed on 24 February during the AGRI council meeting. This applies particularly to the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), as well as to the national and regional policies of the Member States.  

Quote: 

Rapporteur Thibaut Guignard (FR/EPP), mayor of Ploeuc-l’Hermitage: “This report highlights the success of the LEADER program over the past 30 years and, more broadly, the Local Development by Local Actors approach, which has since been extended to other funds such as the EMFAF and the ESF. The objective of this report is to provide greater financial resources to rural areas to support their development strategies through a mandatory multi-fund approach. It also proposes simplification measures, including a lead fund whose management rules would apply to all other funds, as well as a streamlined procedure for small projects. Finally, it calls for a trust-based agreement between the European Union, managing authorities, local action groups, and project leaders to enhance efficiency and streamline controls, while maintaining transparency and ensuring the proper use of EU funds.” 

Background: 

• Video and photos from the debate.    

• The term ‘LEADER’ originally came from the French acronym for ‘Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale’, meaning 'Links between the rural economy and development actions'. 

• The long-term vision of EU rural areas.  

• The European Commission’s report on ‘Evaluation support study of the costs and benefits of the implementation of LEADER’ (November 2023).  

• The 164th Plenary Session, taking place on 19-20 February, marks the start of the next mandate. At the beginning of the new mandate, all CoR members are appointed for a period of 5 years, and all organs, including the Bureau, the commissions, and the working groups re-established. The new president, the new first vice-president and the new bureau are elected by the members meeting in the first plenary session. Press release.