3rd meeting of the Subgroup on LEADER and territorial development

The agenda of the third meeting of the Subgroup on LEADER and territorial development (part of EU CAP Network governance) was designed to reflect essential milestones for European agriculture and rural development.

The European Commission's (DG AGRI) opening messages reaffirmed LEADER’s important role in rural development. While the implementation of LEADER under the 2014-2022 Rural Development Programme (RDP) rules is ongoing, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are fully functional in several Member States, with LEADER implementation launched under the CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs).

The opening presentations touched upon the importance of strengthening the participation of youth and women in LEADER, making progress on simplification, particularly for smaller projects, and delivering and demonstrating LEADER’s added value. In the future, LEADER’s role will increase in addressing new areas such as communication, social resilience, security and countering disinformation.

DG AGRI provided policy updates on the vision for agriculture and food; the implementation of LEADER in RDPs, LEADER in the CSPs, the changing policy context for LEADER under the new European Commission, and smart villages (SV) and LEADER – on which the Smart Rural 27 project gave an important contribution. Questions from subgroup members helped clarify and deepen various points from the presentations.

EU CAP Network representatives provided an update on support activities for LEADER. They reminded participants about the new functionalities on the EU CAP Network website, especially the new Transnational Cooperation (TNC) section, with the practical guide to TNC and the first 13 factsheets, which have already been published. Upcoming developments within the LAG Directory will help LAGs provide more information to potential partners on their strategies and territories and help them find partners for cooperation.

Presentations by subgroup members shared progress in different areas, including ELARD’s Young LEADER Community, disinformation in EU society and ways of counteracting this, and ‘flash updates’ on LEADER activities in Italy, Austria, Lithuania, Belgium (Flanders) and Finland.

DG AGRI shared key findings from evaluating the impact of LEADER towards the general objective 'Balanced Territorial Development'. A fruitful and rich discussion ensued and allowed many points to be explained in a helpful exchange between the Commission and LEADER stakeholders.

The second day of the subgroup meeting gave ample space for participant interaction. A panel discussed ways to reinforce LEADER, LEADER simplification, and its fit within the policy context and current and future challenges.

In an interactive session, participants split into groups tasked with identifying potential LEADER activities in the 2025/2026 Annual Work Programme of the EU CAP Network. The key topics that emerged include simplification, improving communication and knowledge exchange, youth and building a community of practice to facilitate further exchanges among LEADER stakeholders representing various organisations.

The discussion provided food for thought and also for the EU CAP Network’s LEADER newsletter, which you are all invited to sign up to.