Exploring the issue
CONTEXT
To understand what is at stake now, we need to go back to the evolution of LEADER-CLLD within EU policies. Since its inception in 1991, the LEADER approach has been a cornerstone of rural development in the European Union, evolving to empower local communities and foster sustainable growth across multiple programming periods.
1991-1993: The Experimental Phase – LEADER I
LEADER began in 1991 as an experimental programme with 217 LAGs covering 367,000 km² across 12 EU member states. The focus was on integrated rural development, with €1.2 billion allocated, including €442 million from EU funds. It was funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), EFRD and ESF.
1994-1999: LEADER II
This phase aimed to stimulate innovation in disadvantaged rural areas, involving 906 LAGs across 1.375 million km². Total funding reached €5.37 billion, including €1.755 billion from the EU. The same funding structure was maintained.
2000-2006: LEADER+
LEADER+ introduced “unifying themes” and broadened eligibility to all rural areas. 1,153 LAGs were established, covering 1.577 million km². The programme received €5.1 billion, including €2.105 billion from EU funds. Funding came exclusively from the EAGGF, making a shift towards focusing solely on agricultural and rural development.
2007-2013: Mainstreaming into EU Rural Policy
LEADER became part of the EU’s rural development policy under the second pillar of the CAP, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). This is when LEADER became mandatory in all Rural Development Programmes accross the EU, with a minimum budget allocation of 5% (for EU-15 countries and 2.5% for EU-12 countries). The number of LAGs grew to 2,402, and €9.2 billion was allocated, including €5.5 billion from the EU. The approach focused on strengthening local capabilities and enhancing rural competitiveness.
2014-2020: LEADER-CLLD Expansion, and 2021-2027
LEADER expanded into the broader Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) framework, opening possibilities for multi-funding through the EAFRD, ERDF, ESF, and EMFF. Around 2,600 LAGs were active, covering 54% of the EU’s rural population. LEADER was incorporated under Measure 19 of Rural Development Programmes, with an estimated total budget of €687 billion.
Today, the future of LEADER is at a crossroads. As the EU considers reshaping its funding architecture for the post-2027 period, one option being explored is the creation of a single funding pot. Such a shift could significantly affect how rural development initiatives like LEADER are financed and implemented, posing both challenges and opportunities for local communities. The decisions made in this context will shape the next chapter of community-led development in Europe.
How does this affect us, how are we thinking around it?
Our point of view
You can find below our latest reflexions on the topic
REFLEXIONS FROM PARTNERS, INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
OPINIONS
EU budget and place-based policies: proposals for new design and delivery mechanisms in the MFF post-2027
- Adopted (Committee of the Regions)
The opinion takes stock of the implementation of the 21-27 EU multiannual spending programs, examines their effectiveness and sees how they are adopted to the characteristics of different types of territories (including urban, rural, outermost etc…). It draws recommendations on this aspect for the next MFF.
Rapporteur: Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Assembly of Corsica
Towards a greater involvement of Member States, Regions and Civil Society actors in the implementation of the Long-Term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas
- Adopted (EESC)
The proposed own-initiative opinion aims to propose recommendations for updating the EU Rural Action Plan to address the challenges facing rural areas in Europe. It seeks to support existing initiatives, define specific priorities for each rural territory, promote partnership and multi-level governance involving rural stakeholders, establish an implementation timeline, and provide recommendations to the European institutions for the development and implementation of the action plan in the Member States. The objective is to ensure strong political commitment and adequate support for the economic, social, and environmental development of rural areas. The proposed opinion also aims to propose avenues for better financing and address the economic dimension of rural development. In particular, it aims to support the integration of rural areas into the post-2027 cohesion policy and the future rural development plan, highlighting the need to address the economic challenges facing rural areas and promote their prosperity in the broader context of European policies on cohesion, agriculture, environment, energy, innovation, digital access, mobility, social situation, skills development and employment.
Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion Policy
- Currently being discussed (EU Parliament)
This opinion is currently being discussed. It will be discussed in the DG AGRI meeting of 18/03/2025. More on this soon;
The future of the Cohesion Policy post 2027
- Adopted (Committee of the Regions in 2023)
The opinion highlights the persistence of territorial disparities across the EU, exacerbated by challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. It emphasizes the need for the policy to evolve, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of the European project, and to continue supporting climate-related spending to address these asymmetric impacts, o continue to involve local and regional authorities in decision-making processes to ensure effective implementation and to uphold the principles of subsidiarity and multi-level governance. Rapporteur: Alves Cordeiro.
The Future of the Common Agricultural Policy
- Adopted (Committee of the Regions)
The opinion highlights that the new CAP delivery model has increased administrative burdens, reduced regional flexibility, and caused implementation delays. It calls for greater regional powers post-2027, advocating for a decentralised approach based on regional strategies. It recommends gradually shifting direct payments to consider factors like labour intensity and sustainability, supports stronger market regulation mechanisms to stabilise farmers’ incomes, and emphasises that the post-2027 CAP budget should align with sector needs, particularly for climate adaptation and sustainable farming transitions. Rapporteurs: Piotr CAŁBECKI and Isilda Gomes
How post-27 LEADER and CLLD programming could contribute to better implementation of the longterm vision for the EU's rural areas
- Adopted (Committee of the Regions)
The opinion looks into how to give LEADER-CLLD more resources in the service of the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas. It proposes new implementation mechanism, which include common regulations for the usage of multi-funding, more trust towards LAGs and encourages simplification for small projects.
Rapporteur: Thibaut Guignard, Mayor of Ploeuc-L’Hermitage and President of LEADER France
FROM PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS
AEIDL Policy statement, June 2024
AEIDL’s policy statement for the new EU term envisions a sustainable Europe that effectively addresses contemporary challenges through local development and citizen engagement. The statement emphasizes the importance of innovation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, advocating for policies that empower communities and promote cohesive territorial development. AEIDL calls for integrated approaches that harness local potential to achieve the EU’s broader objectives, ensuring that no region or community is left behind.
Rural Pact Declaration, December 2024
The RPCG Declaration – adopted on 12 December 2024 – sets out a strategic proposal for the post-2027 EU funds and policies to address the challenges faced by rural areas. It calls for a strong shift in future policies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of EU’s rural areas in the long run.
LEADER France's position
Cohesion Policy must also serve rural development
Leader France, member of ELARD calls for a more inclusive European cohesion policy that better supports rural development. It emphasises the need to increase funding dedicated to rural areas and simplify policies post-2027, expressing concern over the reduced cohesion budget in the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework.
FROM MEMBER STATES
Joint statement of the German Federal Govnerment and the German Länder
Hover Box Element
The statement asks for a “fundamental reform” of Cohesion Policy, available for all regions that is built on its “structural principles of shared management of funds, the multi-level governance, the place-based approach and the partnership principle.” “The regions continue to play a central role in the design and implementation of the programmes and in the selection of projects. Therefore, the regional funding programmes must be negotiated with the regions directly. It is the view of the Federal Government and the Länder that a centralised Cohesion Policy is not compatible with this,” states the joint paper.