A Year of Growth and Partnerships
The ELARD Knowledge Hub continued its work in 2025 as a growing European cooperation platform supporting rural development across Europe. Through its projects, the Hub contributes to rural policy development, promotes the LEADER and Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach, and strengthens cooperation across the ELARD network and beyond.
One of the key developments of the year was the completion of an independent assessment of the ELARD Knowledge Hub, commissioned by the ELARD Council and conducted by White Research in Brussels. The evaluation confirmed the value of the Hub’s work and recommended continuing its activities while strengthening links between project work and ELARD’s broader policy and strategic activities.
Strengthening Networks and Launching New Initiatives
The Hub organised the first LAG management training in Tirol through the COM4LDG project in cooperation with Austrian partners, bringing together participants from across Europe. Another highlight was the FLIARA final conference at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, which gathered more than 200 participants and showcased innovative rural initiatives from across Europe.
The LEADER Youth Community, continued to develop through meetings, webinars and participation in the High-Level Meeting in Poznań, strengthening youth engagement in LEADER-CLLD.
Supporting Rural Development Through Innovation and Cooperation
In 2025, the ELARD Knowledge Hub was involved in several EU-funded projects supporting rural innovation and sustainability. Ongoing projects included EC4RURAL, which contributes to the clean energy transition in rural areas, RUSTIK, which develops knowledge and tools for sustainable rural transformation through cooperation between researchers, rural communities and policymakers, and DigiMedFor, focusing on modernising the Mediterranean forest-wood supply chain through digital innovation and improved resource tracking.
During the year, two new projects were launched: NEXRUR, exploring innovation dynamics and sustainable business models in rural areas through EU–China cooperation, and COM4LDG, supporting community-led local development, climate action and cooperation between citizens and local governments across EU Member States.
At the same time, two initiatives were successfully completed: Renoverty, which focused on energy-efficient housing solutions in vulnerable rural regions, and FLIARA, which examined the role of women leading innovative environmental and rural development initiatives across EU farming and rural areas.
Through these activities, the ELARD Knowledge Hub continues to strengthen cooperation, knowledge exchange and innovation supporting rural communities across Europe.
Continuing the Journey in 2026
As 2026 is already underway, the ELARD Knowledge Hub continues to strengthen cooperation, knowledge exchange and support for rural development across Europe. We thank our partners and members for their continued engagement and look forward to working together in the year ahead.