Denmark calls Flanders: a study visit to boost LEADER work

Study visits are a wonderful way for CAP stakeholders to strengthen knowledge and cooperation. Last November, a delegation of Local Action Groups (LAGs) and Managing Authority representatives from Denmark visited Brussels to meet their Flemish colleagues and to visit EU institutions and the EU CAP Network.

We spoke to Dea Cordt Kragh, Senior Advisor at the Danish Agency for Planning and Rural Development (the Managing Authority (MA) for LEADER in Denmark), and Wouter Peeters, Programme coordinator at the Flemish MA.

Dea, who led the Danish delegation, explains that Brussels was chosen as a destination because it offered the opportunity to connect with the Flemish CAP authorities and Network, as well as to visit the EU institutions. In addition, “We thought Belgium is rather like Denmark: small and with not many rural areas that are far away from cities and very remote,” she said.

The visit to the European institutions allowed the Danish delegation to learn more about the proposal for the future Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. The delegation was eager to know about the consequences of the proposals for LEADER, including future financing. “The LAGs became aware of the fact that there was a lot of work to be done at national level to mobilise politicians and decision makers to recognise the value of LEADER in all Member States,” explains Dea.

In Flanders, Local Action Groups are organised within LEADER Netwerk Vlaanderen (LNV – the Flemish LEADER Network) and, through this association, they are collectively a member of ELARD, which plays an active role in stakeholder engagement for the MFF and strongly advocates for a prominent place for the LEADER method in rural interventions. For the Flemish Managing Authority, LNV is therefore the natural partner to be involved in regional stakeholder processes.

Highlights of the study trip included a visit to the LAG Pajottenland, active in an area that is very close to the capital, Brussels. This proximity provides opportunities for the rural economy, but it also poses the risk that the area will be absorbed by urban sprawl. Thus, the LAG is working to preserve the rural character of its area while managing demographic changes in a balanced way. Flanders is indeed experiencing a slight increase in rural population, in contrast with most of rural Europe, including Denmark.

The study visit was also a welcome opportunity to learn more about the Flemish Rural Pact, a policy initiative designed by the Flemish government and presented in detail in this article.

The importance of networking in LEADER

“Networking is important because we are very curious about how things work in other Member States. Information about simplification, rules and audits is especially interesting to us, as a LEADER MA, in our efforts to simplify procedures,” said Dea.

“Networking within LEADER is essential because it provides insights, fosters collaboration, and strengthens connections that directly impact our work," adds Wouter. “Networking is at the heart of our approach to rural development and plays a pivotal role in the successful implementation of LEADER as an instrument within the Flemish Rural Pact.”

Strong connections between local actors, stakeholders and communities create an environment where knowledge, experiences and innovative ideas can flow freely. Thanks to this collaborative spirit, LAGs can work better while rural areas can remain vibrant, resilient and future-oriented.

EU-level networking

Participating in EU-wide events adds an international dimension to networking, which is very important, as Wouter notes: “Rural challenges do not stop at borders, and neither should our solutions.”

Thus, both Dea and Wouter, and their respective organisations, try to attend as many EU CAP Network events as possible, as these are great learning opportunities that help gain a broader perspective and strengthen partnerships and collaboration. From the perspective of Managing Authorities, comparing different structures and operational models is valuable for identifying needs and best practices.

After networking events and study visits, there is a lot to bring back home, learning from diverse experiences is refreshing and inspiring. MAs and National Networks (NNs) can innovate and try to adapt strategies that work in different contexts to their own areas. They can better support their LAGs, helping them connect across regions and sectors and enabling synergies that amplify the impact of LEADER projects. Beyond the mere exchange of information, networking "is about creating trust, shared ownership, and a common vision for the future of rural Europe," continues Wouter.

“International networking also reinforces the sense of belonging to a wider European rural community, where solidarity and shared ambition drive sustainable development. We welcome the EU CAP Network and the European Rural Pact as platforms to facilitate all these ambitions.”