Community-led local development (CLLD)
Community-led local development (CLLD) is a term used by the European Commission to describe an approach that turns traditional ’top down’ development policy on its head: local people take the reins and form a local partnership that designs and implements an integrated development strategy.
The local partnership receives long-term funding from European Funds, including the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF), and decides how it is spent.
Current fisheries partnerships have been supported by a network called FARNET, the community of people implementing Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) under the EMFF.
FARNET brings together Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), managing authorities, citizens and experts from across the EU. CLLD funding is delegated to local partnerships that bring together the private sector, local authorities and civil society organisations. Known as FLAGs, these partnerships fund local projects within the framework of a strategy, developed in response to specific needs and opportunities identified locally. Examples of such projects can be found on the FARNET website.
The Commission has developed a guidance document for those who would like to start a local group in the new funding period.
Media
How the EU initiative CLLD empowers local people to improve their lives and areas
The European Union’s community-led local development (CLLD) approach gives local people a voice and the tools to make a real difference.