(09 March 2015) – INDL (Institut National du Développement Local, France) has just published an interesting article on the evolution of the LEADER programme in France.
The European LEADER programme, which was originally launched in 1991, will continue to support the development of rural areas in the 2014-2020 period. Following a review of previous phases of the programme, the INDL article examines how LEADER will evolve in France in the context of the new generation of programmes.
While there is a commitment to local development, there is still uncertainty in relation to the implementation role of the regional councils, which now manage most European funds.
According to the author of the article, Gwénaël Doré, consistency with regional policies will be strengthened, but there is risk of a trivialisation of the LEADER approach.