Advocacy
We’ve built the timeline below to highlight key past and upcoming events related to the discussions on the future shape of policies and budget that concern rural areas in the EU. These are crucial moments where decisions and negotiations will shape the future of EU funding instruments, including those impacting local development.
As ELARD, we are actively following these developments and advocating for the interests of LAGs across Europe. Our engagement focuses on ensuring that CLLD-LEADER remains a strong and effective tool in the next programming period. Through our participation in these events, we aim to amplify the voice of rural and local actors, influencing policies to support bottom-up, place-based approaches in EU funding.
TIMELINE
CONTRIBUTE HERE
We are currently working on a joint contribution with our members on the Future of the EU budget consultation. If you are one of our members, please fill in the form below by 30 March.
JOIN OUR CALL FOR A STRONGER FUTURE FOR RURAL EUROPE
At ELARD, we believe in the power of community-led local development (CLLD) and the LEADER approach to create thriving, resilient rural areas. However, without dedicated and sufficient EU funding, these vital participatory tools are at risk.
That’s why we will be launching soon a petition to raise our voices and adocate for what we believe in.
We are demanding a strong commitment: a substantial, dedicated portion of the post-2027 EU budget for participatory development tools like LEADER, CLLD, Smart Villages, and territorial cooperation.
What can you do?
👉 Sign the petition to make your voice heard
👉 Share it far and wide—every signature brings us closer to change
👉 Encourage your networks, organisations, and policymakers to support this initiative!
Europe cannot afford to leave its rural communities behind. Let’s ensure that LEADER and CLLD remain pillars of EU rural development for generations to come.