Advocacy
OUR ASKS
The European Commission’s legislative package for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposed on 16 July 2025 introduces a new European Fund for Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion, Agriculture and Rural, Fisheries and Maritime, Prosperity and Security (“the Fund”), consolidating CAP, Cohesion, ESF+, EMFAF and other instruments into single National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRP Plans).
While simplification and flexibility are welcome, several elements of the draft Fund Regulation, CAP Regulation and ERDF/Cohesion Fund Regulation risk undermining the effectiveness of LEADER-Community-Led Local Development (LEADER-CLLD). The following advocacy points identify necessary amendments.
Our flagship asks:
👉 Secure ring-fenced resources for LEADER-CLLD and build a framework for the Rural Target to protect this allocation
👉 Guarantee LEADER-CLLD accross cohesion, social and maritime policies and its access in the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF)
👉 Clarify the relationship between CLLD and LEADER
Other asks:
👉 Require a minimum strategic ambition for territorial development in rural areas
👉 Broaden the scole of LEADER-CLLD interventions under the CAP and restore LAG competences
👉Apply simplified financing consistently
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Join the 35 000 + that have signed so far. Share it and encourage your networks, organisations, and MEPs, ministers to support this initiative and to alert them on the gaps in the new regulation.
2. Find your MEP’s email address on the EU directory, use the subject line “Do 90% of rural residents no longer count?”, and attach our technical propositions. If we all use the same slogan, our voice cannot be ignored!
ADVOCACY TIMELINE
What are the next steps happening at EU level? You’ll find the estimated plan here, as well as key past and upcoming events related to the discussions on the future shape of policies and budget that concern rural areas in the EU.
This timeline is updated on a weekly basis, and information is added to meetings as it is released.
To gain a deeper understanding into the issue, consult our page “Exploring the issue“