European Commission proposals for CLLD after 2020

The avalanche of proposals for the 2021-2017 period is continuing. On 29.05.2018 the European Commission published its proposal for a new Common Provisions Regulation [COM(2018) 375 final] which confirms the continuation of CLLD although uncertainties remain – and we’ll return with a critical review.

Title III, Chapter II of the new CPR deals with Territorial Development, including Community-led local development, CLLD strategies and Local Action Groups. The multi-fund approach is maintained. Article 25 provides that “The ERDF, the ESF+ and the EMFF may support community-led local development” and that if there is “support from more than one Fund, the relevant managing authorities may choose one of the Funds concerned as the Lead Fund” and that “The rules of the Lead Fund shall apply”.

At the same time the Commission published its proposal for a new ERDF Regulation for the period 2021-2027 [COM(2018) 372 final]. Article 9 covers Sustainable urban development and states that:

1. The ERDF shall support integrated territorial development based on territorial strategies in accordance with Article [23] of Regulation (EU) 2018/xxxx [new CPR] focused on urban areas (‘sustainable urban development’) within programmes under both goals referred to in Article 4(2) of that Regulation.
2. At least 6% of the ERDF resources at national level under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to sustainable urban development in the form of community-led local development, integrated territorial investments or another territorial tool under PO5.