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European Week of Regions and Cities

Unlocking potential: LEADER & EU financial initiatives – bridging divides and empowering communities

LEADER-CLLD is considered as the key European rural development policy, with significant political influence on rural areas and cohesion policy. This workshop will focus on the impact and wide range of EU financial initiatives, highlighting how they foster community sustainability and encourage people to stay rooted in their rural areas. Through discussions with political leaders and academia, participants will explore themes such as gender equality, innovation and sustainable transition.

  • Territorial | Rural | Local and regional | EU/ European | Sustainable | Governance and Public administration | Cohesion | Youth and citizens engagement | Industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs (enterprise/ startup/ business) | Research and Innovation
  • Code: 10PW241573
  • Jacques Delors building, JDE 62

Speakers

Radim Sršeň

  • Representative, Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic

Moderator

Anke Wehmeyer

  • Représentante du réseau allemand LEADER BAG LAG, German LEADER association (BAG LAG)

Practical information

When
Thu 10/10/2024, 09:30 - 11:00 CET
Where
Jacques Delors building, JDE 62
Type of partnership
Partnership
Format
CoR Political WorkShop
Theme
Smart and sustainable growth for regions
Languages
English, French

Reporting

Session summary

On October 10th, ELARD organized a political workshop titled "Unlocking Potential: LEADER & EU Financial Initiatives – Bridging Divides and Empowering Communities." The event brought together 37 participants representing a diverse mix of managing authorities, regional and local authorities, European institutions, universities, LAGs (Local Action Groups), and civil society organisations, offering a gender-balanced representation.

The workshop focused on how the LEADER and CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) programs, along with other EU financial initiatives such as the RuralToolkit, can play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable rural communities and encouraging residents to remain rooted in their local areas. The discussions were led by moderator Anke Wehmeyer and featured high-level speakers including Radim Sršeň, Karine Gloenec Maurin, Giulia Testori, and Juha Halme, who brought insights from political, academic, and institutional perspectives.

Key topics addressed during the workshop included:
• The role of multi-funding and multi-level governance in supporting rural development, emphasizing the collaboration required between local implementation and institutional cooperation at higher levels.
• Strengthening institutional cooperation for effective implementation of EU policies at the local level. This included exploring synergies between different EU funds and how they could be better integrated at regional and local levels.
• The future of rural development in Europe and specific member states. Speakers addressed the future direction of rural development in Europe, touching on key challenges and opportunities in specific countries. They emphasized the need to maintain momentum in rural cohesion policies, ensuring that rural communities benefit from the EU’s financial instruments.
• Sustainability and Community Development: Participants examined how the LEADER and CLLD programs, alongside other EU initiatives like the RuralToolkit, are vital for fostering sustainability in rural areas. These programs are designed to empower local communities and improve living standards, helping to maintain vibrant rural populations.

In interactive exchanges (thanks to the Slido platform), participants were asked to share and identify the key EU rural development policies and tools. These included:
• New European Bauhaus
• Just Transition Fund
• Horizon
• Creative Europe
• Erasmus+
• Interreg
• Rural Toolkit
• EMFAF (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund)
• LEADER
• Cohesion Policy
• ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)
• EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development)

The workshop underscored the importance of collaborative governance and innovation in promoting sustainable transition in rural areas. This workshop reaffirmed the importance of EU financial initiatives in empowering rural communities and bridging divides, and so the need to continue leveraging these EU programs build resilient local economies. Indeed, as stated by Giulia Testori from the JRC "multi-fund projects in rural areas are more robust when they focus on addressing local, concrete needs and actively engage the community. Having intermediary organizations helps bridge gaps and foster collaboration, while leveraging a culture and tradition of cooperation further strengthens the foundation of these initiatives. Strong multi-level governance ensures coordinated efforts across various sectors, and the integration of strategic planning and project management expertise enhances the efficiency and sustainability of these projects. Additionally, tapping into international networks can provide valuable resources and perspectives, further bolstering the success of these rural initiatives".

Key recommendations and next steps included:
• Encouraging stronger cooperation between local and institutional actors. Coordinated efforts at all governance levels are key to ensuring the long-term success of rural development projects.
• Enhancing the capacity of local communities to access and effectively utilize EU funding opportunities. This includes improving knowledge sharing and increasing local authorities' understanding of how to navigate EU funding mechanisms.
• Strengthening awareness of available tools to ensure rural areas benefit from ongoing and future EU financial initiatives. Ensuring rural regions fully tap into these resources is essential for sustainable growth.

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