Call to sign a petition to preserve an independent and strong Slovenian countryside after 2027

Since LEADER/CLLD is one of the key instruments of rural development, local population involvement and support for projects that arise from the actual needs of the local environment, we invite you to sign the nationwide petition:

Call on the government to preserve an independent and strong Slovenian countryside after 2027

The petition is submitted by the Association for the Development of Slovenian Rural Areas with the support of local action groups, their members, representatives of local communities, rural development organizations and other individuals and organizations who wish to express support for maintaining a strong, independent and stably funded LEADER/CLLD approach even after 2027.

Why is the LEADER/CLLD approach important?

The LEADER/CLLD approach is based on the principle of bottom-up development. It enables local environments to identify their own development needs, formulate local development strategies and implement projects that contribute to a better quality of life, community integration, rural development and strengthening local potential.

Municipalities, associations, public institutions, entrepreneurs, farms, development institutions and individuals are involved in the implementation of the approach. This kind of cross-sectoral integration is one of the greatest advantages of the LEADER/CLLD approach, as it encourages cooperation, innovative local solutions and the activation of rural residents.

The results of the approach in Slovenia are significant. In the period 2014-2020, more than 1,600 projects were implemented, more than 300 jobs were created, and the vast majority of projects involved partners from the public, civil and business sectors.

The petition calls for:

1. LEADER/CLLD will remain an independent, recognizable and purpose-funded rural development instrument even after 2027;
2. The Republic of Slovenia shall ensure stable multi-year financing, timely availability of funds and conditions for the effective implementation of local development strategies;
3. implementation is administratively simplified, with more trust in local action groups, less duplication of controls and faster processing of projects;
4. Local action groups, local communities, non-governmental organizations, development institutions and other rural development partners are actively involved in the preparation of the next programming period.

RRA Koroška doo, as the lead partner of LAG Kozjak-Pohorje, supports efforts to maintain a strong, independent and stably funded LEADER/CLLD approach, as it significantly contributes to rural development, connecting local partners and realizing development opportunities in local communities.

We invite you to support the preservation of the LEADER/CLLD approach after 2027 by signing the petition.

The petition is published at the following link:

Call on the government to preserve an independent and strong Slovenian countryside after 2027 .