(14 February 2019) – For more than 40 years, Yves Champetier has been a privileged actor and observer of European policies in support of local development. He has witnessed their development and successes as well as the difficulties encountered. In this article, he offers an overview of the progress that has been made and the challenges facing us today.
He also highlights an image of Europe that is too often misunderstood, a Europe that is closer to citizens and one where innovators seek to create more sustainable and more inclusive territories. However, he doesn’t hide away from the dangers that threaten Europe and the challenges it faces.
This article first appeared in the book “Vous avez dit développement local?” (Did you say local development?) published by UNADEL (Union Nationale des Acteurs et Structures de Développement Local), Paris, November 2018. It has been updated for this publication.