On 30 October 2026, around 250 participants gathered in Vila Verde, Portugal, for the National Rural Development Conference “LEADER: the policy that transforms territories”. Organised by ELARD member Minha Terra, in cooperation with ATAHCA and with support from Vila Verde Municipality, the event brought together Local Action Groups, policymakers, local authorities, researchers and rural development practitioners.
The conference explored the changes affecting rural territories, the impact of LEADER/CLLD and the role of local communities in shaping public policies. Discussions also looked ahead to the EU’s 2028–2034 financial framework, raising questions about future funding, territorial governance and the place of LEADER in the next programming period.
Opening contributions highlighted the need to create conditions that make rural areas attractive places to live, work and invest. Speakers called for policies adapted to local realities, greater autonomy for local development organisations and simpler administrative procedures, allowing teams to spend more time supporting people and projects.
A central moment was the presentation of the Vila Verde Manifesto for the Future of Rural Territories, adopted by Minha Terra’s General Assembly on 29 October. The document calls for rural development to be recognised as a strategic priority at both national and European levels. Its proposals include stable and predictable LEADER/CLLD funding, stronger community participation and the allocation of at least 5% of rural development resources to this approach.
Territorial governance was another key theme. Representatives of regional authorities, municipalities, parishes and local development organisations discussed how different levels of government can work more effectively with communities. The debate emphasised that local knowledge should have a meaningful role in setting priorities and implementing territorial strategies.
The session on the next EU financial framework brought together European and national perspectives, including contributions from Hélder Reis, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, and Iwona Lisztwan from the European Commission’s DG AGRI, who participated remotely. Discussions addressed the future of LEADER, the need for adequate resources and the importance of preserving the role of Local Action Groups in decision-making.
Practical examples illustrated the diversity of initiatives supported through LEADER. These included the Via Algarviana walking route and heritage project, microgreens producer Verdes do Mondego, the rural tourism initiative Belas Vistas de Montalegre and organic farm Quinta do Arneiro. Together, they showed how local support can help turn ideas into businesses and activities that create value from rural resources.
In her concluding remarks, academic and former MEP Isabel Estrada Carvalhais highlighted LEADER’s contribution to participatory democracy and called for greater decision-making power, funding and support for Local Action Groups.
Closing the conference, Portugal’s Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs, José Manuel Fernandes, pledged increased LEADER funding in the next financial framework and advocated greater autonomy for Local Action Groups. He also supported simpler procedures and renewed access to European Regional Development Fund resources, while highlighting the “right to stay”: creating conditions for people to live, work and raise families in rural territories.
Across the discussions, a common message emerged: the future of rural areas must be shaped with their communities, giving local actors the resources and decision-making capacity to put their knowledge into practice.
