EU CAP Network Workshop on LEADER and Social Resilience

The event focused on LAGs’ role in strengthening social resilience in rural communities in the context of the ‘triple challenge’ - ecological, economic, and social - and allowed the participants to share experiences of LAGs and civil society that are effectively and efficiently using both internal (improved local governance, local networking, community engagement) and external (including funding, cooperation with local, regional, national authorities and other LAGs) resources to improve social resilience, crisis preparedness, and crisis response.

Participants were welcomed by Susan Grieve (EU CAP Network) and Kristina Indriošienė (Ministry of Agriculture, Lithuania), who stressed that in Lithuania social resilience is not an abstract concept, but part of daily reality, as rural areas are facing various challenges. She noted that rural social resilience is about building trust and working together, and LEADER has a considerable role in making this happen.

Marie Permingeat (EU CAP Network) moderated a panel discussion during which stakeholders shared their views.

Jarosław Rżany (LAG Suwalsko Sejneńska, Poland) explained how his LAG’s approach to social resilience has changed in recent years due to its geographical location at a sensitive border area (the Suwałki Corridor), as well as various other crises. Since COVID-19, resilience and preparedness have become the centre of the LAG’s activities, and this has continued following the arrival of Ukrainian refugees due to the war. The LAG’s Local Development Strategy for the 2023-2027 period focuses on social resilience, and includes specific actions related to training and capacity building for crisis preparedness, energy security, and practical skills, as well as a strong emphasis on working directly with people.

Santa Harjo-Ozoliņa (LAG Biedrība Alūksnes lauku partnerība, Latvia) explained that in her LAG’s territory – in a region bordering Russia - civil defence has become a part of everyday life since the war in Ukraine broke out. Preparedness and the understanding that safety depends on one’s own initiative are key. The LAG contributes to the development of the civil defence system in Latvia through awareness-raising, training sessions, workshops, and cooperation. It also contributes to coordinated crisis responses by mapping relevant local resources and organising training in local communities.

According to Leila Benabdallah (Mediterranean Youth Council, France), different organisations, such as LAGs and youth organisations, should work together to deal with the multiple and interconnected crises we are facing. In her experience, what starts as an environmental crisis – working on water scarcity, access to water, and illegal wells in the Mediterranean – can become a social issue affecting whole communities. Working in silos is not an option.

Prof. Elena Pisani noted that multi-level governance aspects should be part of improving the social resilience and crisis preparedness of local rural communities. The local, national, and also the EU levels have key roles to play in providing the appropriate institutional responses.

Both Santa Harjo Ozolina and Jarosław Rżany emphasised the importance of cooperation and looking at one’s territory through a regional lens. Latvian LAGs are working to improve Eastern Border Cooperation within the Baltic area, while the Suwalsko Sejneńska LAG established cross-border cooperation with a neighbouring region in Lithuania. They are currently working to understand the health care systems better on both sides of the border, and plan to extend this cooperation to civil defence systems.

The panellists emphasised that where local rural communities have trust in the LAG and the authorities, disinformation is not a major issue. In case disinformation starts spreading in small rural communities, direct and private connections are important, as well as following the LAG’s advice to refer to the authorities’ and municipal official websites. Providing immediate crisis responses is key, but this must be coupled with long-term solutions.

Working in groups, participants mapped their experiences related to social resilience, crisis preparedness, and crisis responses. Specific initiatives and projects were discussed in terms of the stage they related to (prepare, withstand, recover, or adapt) and the resources used (local or external). Jointly reflecting on the examples presented, participants also discussed how relevant initiatives could have been better developed or implemented.

The initiatives discussed included: crisis response planning and the Training: Hope + Courage Collective (Ireland), EcoReady Masuria (Poland), the Daia Climate Adaptation Pilot Project (Romania), and other initiatives by LAGs related to security, the response to the COVID-19 crisis, and social and integration services for refugees.

Check the posters available on the event page for more details on various initiatives by LAGs.

Participants in the event visited two LAG territories, where they were introduced to a variety of initiatives.

At the Vilkaviškis LAG, which borders the Russian Federation, social resilience and rapid response capacity are particularly important for local communities. Within this area, LEADER support is used to renovate community buildings, which can be adapted into multifunctional facilities in times of crisis. Additionally, local communities actively cooperate with the Red Cross, jointly organising training on emergency preparedness.

In the Gudkaimis Community, an impressive half of the village residents are members of the community organisation. The community established an independent living home for people with various addictions, a community house with a small museum, and a children’s day care centre. They also provide landscaping and maintenance services (e.g. grass cutting, ploughing gardens, snow removal in winter).

Sūduva LAG, located near the Suwałki Corridor, also places strong emphasis on strengthening community resilience. Bagotoji Community established a multifunctional centre, built a football stadium, founded a children’s day care centre, and provides transport services.

A local brass band demonstrated how culture could contribute to social resilience and community cohesion. The band has been active for more than 60 years and provides musical education and meaningful free-time activity to local children, serving as the main hub for the 11^th generation of local musicians.

On the second day, participants discussed social resilience, crisis preparedness and crisis responses using practical examples of real initiatives and projects. The format allowed participants to contribute to discussions around four themes. A short summary of the conclusions in each theme is presented below. Detailed information about each initiative is available in individual posters here.

Climate crisis and extreme weather events:

Additionally, LAGs shared their own examples of how they play an active role in climate resilience. In relation to climate adaptation, examples include using ERASMUS+ funding for non-formal education on climate protection, or convincing mayors to cooperate on developing climate adaptation strategies. In the case of extreme weather events, LAGs in various countries helped support fire prevention or first response to floods, including coordination or fundraising.

Security and civil defence:

A key success factor identified was the LAG’s knowledge of local stakeholders’ needs, the trust in the LAG as a cooperation partner, and its connections and cooperation with relevant local and regional authorities. Both initiatives included the preparation of guidance to improve the crisis preparedness of the local communities, which in the Polish case was complemented by a regional outreach resulting from the cooperation of LAGs. Both these documents are available in the Resources section of the event page.

Migration and displacement:

The relevance of LAGs as key actors with strong knowledge of local stakeholders was highlighted; however, being able to prioritise migrants amongst all the LAGs' topics can be a challenge, as they are highly dependent on funding or external implementers. The participatory and bottom-up approach was seen as a success factor in the design and implementation of the projects, with securing long-term funding an essential element of the sustainability of the initiatives.

Disinformation and media literacy:

Participants concluded that disinformation arises from tensions, frustrations, and grievances, and feeds off systematic inequalities and a fractured online environment. Response to it must be structured, and at the correct moment in time. Most importantly, it must use existing infrastructure, networks, and relationships, and be delivered by trusted stakeholders at the local level.

Participants then took part in a simulation exercise, working on developing responses to imaginary – but realistic - crisis situations related to the three key topics of the workshop: climate change and extreme weather events, migration and displacement, and security and civil defence. Disinformation was addressed as the fourth, cross-cutting challenge linked to all the other themes.

The exercise sparked intense discussions and exchanges and generated interesting outcomes:

Participants agreed that the networks the LAG is involved in and the trust of the local communities in the LAG are the most essential elements without which crisis response, crisis preparedness, and building social resilience would not be feasible.