LEADER
Topic

LEADER

LEADER is the EU’s participatory and bottom-up approach to involve rural people in community led local development through local strategies, local projects, and decision-making processes.

Latest news

A group of people in a rural setting (c) SolStock on Canva
12 Mar 2026

Connecting LEADER and the social economy: insights, practices and actions from the Rural Pact

Discover insights, practices and actions on LEADER and the social economy from the Rural Pact activities supporting this agenda.

  • CAP Implementation
A delegation of Danish Local Action Group visits the EU CAP Network in November 2025
12 Mar 2026

Denmark calls Flanders: a study visit to boost LEADER work

Managing Authorities from Denmark and Flanders (Belgium) share inspiring insights from a study visit to Brussels, focused on LEADER.

  • CAP Implementation
Electric bicycle for women, canals, Flanders, Belgium
12 Mar 2026

Building stronger, more connected Flemish rural areas

The Flemish Rural Pact 2040 aims to enable a transformative effort to make Flemish rural areas more resilient, sustainable and connected – also through LEADER.

  • CAP Implementation

Upcoming events

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Latest publications

4th meeting of the Subgroup on LEADER and territorial development
Event Reports |

4th meeting of the Subgroup on LEADER and territorial development

The meeting provided policy updates on LEADER, Smart Villages (SV), the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the CAP and the current policy, as well as updates on LEADER implementation and networking from the members.

  • CAP Implementation
Landscape with mountains and trees
Briefings |

From local networks to lasting impact: how LEADER builds social capital

Drawing on academic research and practical experience, this Briefing offers a clear and accessible overview of social capital in the LEADER framework and helps LEADER stakeholders - particularly Local Action Groups - strengthen the added value of LEADER within their organisations and territories.

  • CAP Implementation
Factsheet - From practice to progress: a shared agenda for CAP implementation
Briefings |

From practice to progress: a shared agenda for CAP implementation

This briefing includes proposals formulated by CAP stakeholders to scale up successful approaches, remove barriers, and identify both quick wins for the current CAP period and longer-term actions relevant for the post-2027 framework.

  • CAP Implementation

Latest good practice

Cretan cheese packaged
 O'Bambiyo! Game poster
Close-up of a ripe an ear of wheat near Saint Nazaire le Desert, in the Diois region of Drome, south of France