Ukraine launched the systematic implementation of the European LEADER approach, which is expected to revitalise rural areas effectively. Kyiv hosted a coordination meeting attended by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, international partners, and community representatives. Key steps for 2026–2027 were identified at the meeting, and an agreement was reached on creating a permanent platform to support local initiatives.

For Ukraine, with more than 28,000 villages and settlements, the issue of effective development tools is extremely relevant. Today, rural areas are developing within the framework of different types of communities: their well-being depends on decisions made in 631 rural, 429 settlement, and even 409 urban territorial communities. The LEADER methodology is a bottom-up approach that has been successfully used in the European Union for decades. It could be the answer to the needs of these territories.

What is LEADER?

LEADER is a philosophy of cooperation in which not Kyiv, but the community itself, determines its own development needs. According to EU standards, a LEADER region comprises several neighbouring communities with a population of approximately 10 to 150 thousand inhabitants that unite around a common strategy. This strategy is developed and implemented by a Local Action Group (LAG), which is an association of community representatives, local businesses, and authorities. Together, they decide which projects to fund in order to create jobs, support agricultural producers, and develop rural tourism.

Why is this important for your community?

Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said: ‘LEADER is one of the key tools for rural development in the European Union, and it has already proven its effectiveness. Its strength lies in the bottom-up principle. For Ukraine, the implementation of LEADER with the support of the EU is not only about new opportunities for communities, but also about the systematic modernisation of policy and practical preparation for integration into the European economic space.’

During the meeting, participants – experts from international projects (IPRSA, GRAIN, APD, U-LEAD), representatives of the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, academics and, most importantly, representatives of pilot communities and LEADER initiative groups from the regions – analysed the initial results and identified the main obstacles to scaling up the method. Key problems include:

• Lack of clear legal status for Local Action Groups
• Unclear mechanisms for financing local initiatives
• Lack of human resources in communities to implement complex projects
• Need to integrate LEADER into state strategic documents until 2030, taking into account post-war recovery tasks.

Agreements and plans

Following the meeting, two key decisions were adopted that will directly affect the work of local governments:

1. Coordination Council was established. This will be a permanent interdepartmental platform that will bring together the efforts of the state, international partners, and communities. Its main task is to coordinate rural development policies and programmes based on LEADER principles in order to avoid the dispersion of resources.
2. Priorities for 2026–2027 were identified. Work will focus on four areas:
   • Lawmaking: development and improvement of the regulatory framework that will allow communities to legally create LAGs and raise funds.
   • Capacity: training and support for communities, especially rural and settlement communities, to implement the approach.
   • Finance: creation of stable and transparent sources of funding for local initiatives.
   • Integration: full inclusion of LEADER in the state system of support for rural development.

The Decentralisation Portal will continue to monitor the development of the regulatory framework and inform communities about new opportunities to participate in pilot projects and training programmes.