Elard

Elard
European LEADER Association for Rural Development

G.R.A.I.N

Description

G.R.A.I.N. is a European cooperation initiative designed to support rural communities in Ukraine by piloting the LEADER / Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach. The project aims to establish six pilot Local Action Groups (LAGs) and co-create Local Development Strategies with local actors, placing rural territories at the heart of Ukraine’s reconstruction and democratic renewal.

Led by Leader France, with partners from Poland, Moldova and Ukraine, the project is supported by the AFCCRE and ELARD. Through this collaboration, local elected representatives, civil society organisations, youth, women and businesses will work together to shape Ukraine’s rural future and strengthen pathways to European integration.

Expected impact

The project will run until December 2027 and aims to deliver:

  •  Creation of six pilot LAGs and Local Development Strategies
  • Stronger participatory democracy and citizen involvement
  • Greater inclusion of women, youth and civil society in decision-making
  • A structured and lasting dialogue between Ukrainian communities and EU actors
  • Progress towards financial autonomy for local development and international investment partnerships

Next steps

Before the official start of activities in January 2026, the partnership will hold a series of online meetings and webinars to:

  • Clarify roles and the upcoming work programme
  • Deepen knowledge of LEADER-CLLD principles
  • Introduce the functioning of European institutions and programmes relevant to local development

ELARD's contribution as an associated partner

As a European network representing and supporting the LEADER community, ELARD will contribute to several key actions:

  • A webinar on European institutions and their impact on local policies
  • Support for networking between participating territories and European partners
  • A webinar on innovative financing for rural areas & input into a methodological guide on financial autonomy for LAGs
  • Support a meeting with European-level investors
  • Support for project communication and dissemination across Europe