This ELIF Webinar, follows on from the high-level launch on 6 May 2026 by the Europan Commission of a public consultation on the “Right to Stay”. The Commission intends to put forward a strategy on this topic, focusing on regions and territories. The aim is to identify the key challenges communities face, and the support […]
Rural development: a call for a broader territorial cohesion agenda
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion on the Future of Rural Development after 2027 during a plenary session of on 6 May 2026. Led by rapporteur Radim Sršeň (CZ/EPP), mayor of Dolní Studénky, the opinion calls for rural development to be fully recognised as a core objective of Cohesion Policy, supported by dedicated funding […]
RUR_DYNAMIX 2026: International Conference on Rural Dynamics, Resilience and Innovation
This conference will take place on 27–28 November 2026 in Mosteiro de Ancede, Baião, Portugal. It is organised through a collaboration between academic institutions, research centres and local authorities committed to the sustainable development of rural territories. RUR_DYNAMIX 2026 brings together researchers, policymakers and territorial actors to discuss the transformations shaping rural territories in times of global […]
Proposals for improving the draft regulations accompanying the next MMF
As discussed in the recent LDnet webinar on the way that the MFF proposals are likely to evolve in 2026, there several proposals that are currently being discussed focussed on specific amendments to the draft Regulations. . Some of the proposals are substantial. For instance, the recently published draft CoR Opinion on the NRPP Fund […]
OECD workshops on Rural Communication and Rural Proofing
In the context of the discussions on the “OECD Principles of Rural Policy”, the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) is launching two new workshop series focused on two issues that are central to effective rural policy: rural communication and rural proofing. The discussions will feature perspectives from policymakers, journalists, community voices, and […]
LDnet Webinar (4.12.2025): “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? – Presentations and recording
This webinar was held successfully on 4 December 2025 with 50 participants. A follow-up event is planned for 22 January 2026 (see HERE). For the full recording of the webinar click HERE For the presentations of the speakers click below. The Commission’s proposal for the MFF: Perspectives regarding the final framework and implications for Local Development? […]
LDnet Webinar (28.5.2025) – “A new architecture of EU policies and funds post-2027 – what place for local development? (part 2)” – Summary, Presentations and Recording of the event
This webinar took place successfully with 50 active participants on 28 May 2025. The full recording of the webinar is available HERE. The presentations of the speakers are available below. Summary of the event At the time when decision-makers at EU level were preparing to publish the draft legislation of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework […]
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 […]
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 […]
‘From vision to action: Empowering rural areas for the future’ – Highlights from the Rural Pact Conference
The Rural Pact Conference “From vision to action: Empowering rural areas for the future”, organised at the Château du Biez near Kortrijk (Belgium) on 16 and 17 September 2025, brought together 250 rural stakeholders from all over the EU and beyond, to exchange, network and discuss how to move forward with the Rural Vision till 2040 and […]
Slovenia monitors and evaluates the LEADER/CLLD delivery
This paper ‘Slovenia monitors and evaluates the LEADER/CLLD delivery’ by Dr Irma Potočnik Slavič offers an analysis of the processes that have had a key impact on rural development in Slovenia after independence in 1991. It is important for professionals dealing with rural development and, at the same time, contributes to the development of the […]
Resilient coastal communities: a guide for FLAGs
We are highlighting again a practical guide that has attracted considerable interest among participants in the LDnet network. The guide is on “resilient coastal communities” which was published at the final stage of FARNET and which provides systematic guidance across a wide range of topics: social, economic, environmental and more – see Table of Contents […]