Community Led Local Development (CLLD)

Key points:

CLLD is a dedicated tool for use at sub-regional level and thus complements other development support at local level. It constitutes a combination of representative and participatory democracy: an instrument that representatives of public administrations can use to collaborate in partnership with organised civil society and the public.

CLLD provides long-term growth through effective use of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) with a view to new jobs and businesses and with the stress on community-led activities in climate change and sustainability in line with the Europe 2020 strategy.

The EESC is in favour of all EU Member States using this instrument over time, while applying the principle of partnership and pooling best practice. Community Led Local Development is intended to help the public develop their municipalities in a meaningful and sustainable way. Through CLLD they can take part directly in improving the quality of life in their communities: this is about real inclusive growth with visible outcomes at local level.

The EESC considers it absolutely essential to stick to the basic principles of the CLLD method. Properly balanced partnerships that involve the local community must be a pre-condition for getting grants.

The EESC suggests that a new name for CLLD is considered – an attractive acronym that would be a rallying cry for all those involved.