Register now: “A new architecture of EU policies and funds post-2027 – what place for local development?” – 28 May 2025

On 19 February 2025 LDnet organised a webinar with a lively discussion about the future shape of EU policies and the potential consequences for local communities in urban and rural areas. As decisionmakers at EU level are preparing to publish the draft legislation of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for post-2027, numerous stakeholder groups express their concern and publish position papers and declarations aiming to ensure that the needs and opportunities of different types of areas are not forgotten in the drive towards competitiveness and security, which are likely to dominate the new period’s legislative and financial proposals.

The second part of the discussion will take place online on Wednesday 28 May 2025 at 16.30 CEST and will propose an overview and critical analysis of the key opinions and arguments in favour of maintaining strong EU support to territorial and place-based approaches, and stimulate a discussion how the hopes and expectations of local actors can be taken into account, and the voice of local communities can be heard in this crucial policy debate.

Registration is open HERE.

Speakers:

• Urszula Budzich Tabor, LDnet
• Radim Sršeň, Deputy Minister for Regional Development in Czechia and Member of the Committee of the Regions, Chair of Rural Pact Coordination Group
• Piotr Sadłocha, President, European LEADER Association for Rural Development,
• Serafin Pazos Vidal, AEIDL
• Joaquim Oliveira, CEPII, Paris and former Special Advisor to the EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

Agenda:

16.30 – 16.40 Welcome by LDnet President, Peter Ramsden

16.40 – 16.50 Introduction: what progress since our last meeting? by Urszula Budzich-Tabor (LDnet)

16.50 – 17.05 Which voices are heard in the debate? by Serafin Pazos Vidal (AEIDL)

17.05 – 17.15 Call for a shift in future policies: the Declaration on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the EU, by Radim Sršeň (Deputy Minister for Regional Development in Czechia and Member of the Committee of the Regions, Chair of Rural Pact Coordination Group)

17.15 – 17.25 A strong voice for community-led approaches: ELARD petition on LEADER/CLLD as a pillar for EU development, by Piotr Sadłocha (President, European LEADER Association for Rural Development)

17.25 – 17.50 What scope for local communities to have a say on the future policies? Discussion moderated by Peter Ramsden and Urszula Budzich-Tabor

17.50 – 18.00 Comments from keynote listener, by Joaquim Oliveira (CEPII, Paris and former Special Advisor to the EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms)