Ressources
LEGAL BASIS for LEADER in 2021-2027
If you’re looking to understand how Local Action Groups (LAGs) and community-led rural development are supported in the EU, here are the key regulations to know:
EU Regulation 2021/1060 – Common Provisions Regulation (CPR):
This regulation sets the general rules for how EU funds support local development. It includes details about how Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) works, how CLLD strategies are designed, how LAGs are formed, and how EU funds support local projects. You can find this information in Articles 31 to 34.
EU Regulation 2021/2115 – CAP Strategic Plans Regulation:
This regulation explains how rural development is supported through the LEADER approach. It defines LEADER as a type of CLLD and highlights its role in fostering cooperation projects. Importantly, it states that at least 5% of the EU’s rural development funds (EAFRD) in each country’s plan must be reserved for LEADER activities.
Other relevant EU regulations are updated regularly on the EU CAP network website.
Important to know: your own country might add its own regulation on top of EU’s regulation. If you feel that there is a gap between what the EU states and what you are told in our member state, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
RURAL PROOFING – A guide to setting it up
Produced by REDR and supported by the ENRD, this guide offers a practical, step-by-step method for assessing the impact of laws, policies, plans and strategies on rural areas. Grounded in the “rural lens” approach, it empowers policymakers and communities to reduce territorial inequalities by adapting public action to rural realities. With a detailed checklist and six clear phases—from identifying impacts to proposing mitigation measures—it’s a vital tool for inclusive and effective policymaking.
Now available in 7 languages. If you would like to translate it to your own language, please get in touch with us.
Ressources to implement SCOs – Guidance and inspiration for LAGs and Managing Authorities
Simplified Cost Options (SCOs) can significantly reduce administrative burden and improve the efficiency of implementing LEADER and other EU-funded actions. To support the correct and strategic use of SCOs, the European Commission has published two key guidance documents:
- If you’re working with the EAFRD: Guidelines on the use of simplified cost options within the ESI Funds
- If you’re working with EFRD (JTF, ESF+,EMFAF, …):Guidelines on the use of simplified cost options within the Funds covered by Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (Common Provisions Regulation)
For inspiration, discover how Estonia successfully implemented lump sums in the LEADER context, offering valuable insights for both LAGs and managing authorities:
👉 Lump sums in LEADER – insights from Estonia
MULTI-FUND: Best practices and insights on multi-fund CLLD implementation
Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) becomes even more powerful when implemented through a multi-fund approach, combining resources from different EU Funds (such as EAFRD, ERDF, ESF+, EMFAF) to respond more effectively to local needs. However, making multi-fund CLLD work in practice requires strong coordination, good governance, and the benefit of others’ experience.
These resources are designed for LAGs, managing authorities, and policymakers who are committed to making multi-fund CLLD more effective and feasible in their country or region:
- Using LEADER as a Multilevel Governance Tool (ELARD, 2020): A series of best practice case studies that demonstrates how LEADER can be a driver of cooperation across levels of governance, a key ingredient in managing multiple funding streams.
- Best Practice in CLLD Implementation under ERDF and ESF (2019): An European Rural Parliament report that provides inspiring examples of how CLLD is successfully, especially where ERDF and ESF+ are involved.
- ELARD Survey on Multi-Fund CLLD (2017): Offers a comprehensive look at the state of multi-fund CLLD in Europe, including common challenges, enabling conditions, and practical recommendations drawn from local and national experiences.
EVALUATION – Exploring and mesuring added-value
It can be hard for your LAG to measure what the added value of your local development strategy is. Not everything is measureable in numbers or with statistics. Explore the ressources below the find the right way for your LAGs to calculate what you bring to your local community!
2021 ELARD workshops on added value – Explore the an EU-wide survey we conducted in 2021, that resulted in a webinar series on the topic. Our experts, Jela Tvrdonova, Lilia Golovatic, Igor Gogora conducted the research and put together the presentations that are now shared on this page.
A 2024 work led by the EU CAP network designed guidelines for MAs and LAGs to assess added value. Read and download the guidelines and tools here.
Join a community of like-minded individuals: the Rural Pact Community Platform
The Rural Pact contributes to achieving the shared goals of the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas by facilitating interaction on rural matters. It aims at fostering mutual inspiration between all levels of governance and mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural residents.
All rural stakeholders or those involved in rural development can join the Rural Pact Community Platform. By joining the community, you’ll stay up to date on the latest information about rural revitalisation in the EU and will be able interact with like-minded peers.