This EPRC paper by Mendez, C., Bachtler, J., and Wishlade, F. deals in a systematic way with: The state of play of Cohesion Policy The shaping of MFF of the MFF proposals The national perspectives on reform The EU budget proposals for 2028-2034 The Cohesion Policy regulatory proposals for 2028-2034 and closes with a discussion […]
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LDnet Webinar, 4 December 2025: In what direction can the next MFF evolve in 2026?
“A new architecture of EU policies and funds post-2027 – what place for local development?” Part 3: In what direction can the next MFF evolve in 2026? Webinar, Thursday 4 December 2025, 16:30-18:00 CET 2025 has seen the prospect of a dramatic transformation of EU funding and policy architecture in the 2028-2034 period. It has […]
Feedback from the Policy Action Lab – Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies
This Policy Action Lab (see below) took place successfully on 5 November 2025 in Brussels. We are pleased to post the initial feedback provided by Āris Ādlers who participated in this event. Dear LDnet members. Greetings from Brussels. The European Commission presented its vision for the post-2027 EU budget (MFF) and outlined how rural areas […]
The European Commission’s proposals for the future EU budget: Stakeholders’ and experts’ responses
As expected, on 16 July 2025, the European Commission published its long awaited proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the 2028-2034 period and we have published an extensive overview. A debate has already kicked off and we are summarising below the stakeholders’ and experts’ responses, with special reference to local development and territorial cohesion. […]
“Post-2027 Urban Policy of the EU: What regenerative action to achieve the EGD objectives?” – 12 November 2025 (online)
The supranational nature of the EU’s urban policy makes it a unique framework that provides a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding how to act in the urban realm to foster social and territorial cohesion. Given the growing recognition of cities as crucial actors to make the ecological and green transition envisaged by the EU’s […]
An overview of the Commission’s EU budget proposal and the challenges ahead
The Commission lays out the plans before the budget battle Serafín Pazos-Vidal analyses the new EU budget proposal for 2028-2034 presented by the Von der Leyen Commission. Although it is billed as a “radical restructuring,” the author warns that it is actually “doing much more with the same,” which foreshadows a tough political battle in […]
Βottom-up initiatives can make local communities more resilient to climate change, social exclusion, disinformation, or conflict challenges
The series ‘Expert Voices’ offers interviews showcasing the experience and insights of AEIDL experts and ELIF members. In the 8th edition, Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Senior Policy Analyst at AEIDL on the Rural Pact Support Office and LDnet Deputy Chair, highlights: How the LEADER approach empowers local communities and inspires CLLD in coastal and fisheries areas. The impact of CLLD in […]
A new urban policy agenda for the EU
This briefing paper by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), authored by Vasilis Margaras and published in October 2025, addresses the current challenges facing the cities in Europe and the EU response through the Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU) so far and potentially in the post-2027 period. The paper covers the the Urban Agenda […]
CoR: Democracy and European unity at risk under current post-2027 MFF proposal
A debate on the next EU long-term budget after 2027, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), highlighted major concerns among regions and cities regarding the proposal put forward by the European Commission on 16 July. The exchange, held during the meeting of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) on 7 October, brought […]
Strengthening local capacity to empower communities to innovate, making solutions more inclusive, resilient and sustainable
“Policies that respect and strengthen local capacity don’t just deliver services — they empower communities to innovate, making solutions more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.” The series ‘Expert Voices’ is expanding, sharing the latest interviews showcasing the experience and insights of AEIDL experts and ELIF members. The 6th edition, features Alexandra Yaghil, Policy Expert & Project Manager at AEIDL – […]
The relaunch of LDnet
We have now completed a very successful series of five LDnet webinars with more than 300 participants. We have also recently completed the setting up in Estonia of a new non-profit association, called ‘European Local Development Network Association MTÜ’, that will take over the operational support and guidance of the LDnet network from the ‘LEDA-Partenariat Association’, in […]
CLLD in fisheries and coastal communities: Achievements and Lessons
As a follow up to the preliminary report on “What does CLLD bring to coastal and fisheries communities around Europe?” published in December 2024, FAMENET has published a full report “CLLD in fisheries and coastal communities. Achievements and Lessons” which includes quantitative results achieved in the 2014-2020 period as well as qualitative information based on the […]