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

Latest publications

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
Event report - Simplified Cost Options: experience gained and new approaches
Event Reports |

Simplified Cost Options: experience gained and new approaches

A very useful exchange of information, ideas, and practical experiences between representatives from the European Commission, LEADER LAGs, National Rural Networks, Managing Authorities, and Paying Agencies.

  • CAP Implementation

Latest good practice

Logo Prato Certo
Ox heart tomatoes in an ecological garden with mulching and biodegradable link, Solanum lycopersicum, cuor di bue
Project | 12 Mar 2026

A Que Cheira o Douro/What Does Douro Smell Like

  • CAP Implementation
Logo Bim chocolate factory
Project | 12 Mar 2026

The BIM (Bean-to-bar In Mayenne) chocolate factory

  • CAP Implementation