The Role of Local Action Groups (LAGs) for Rural Development in the EU 2021–2027 Programming Period: Insights from a Pilot Project in Val Belluna (Italy)

Thirty years after the conception of the LEADER approach, Local Action Groups (LAGs) should take advantage of the transition between two EU programming periods, upgrading their roles. They should equip themselves with real co-creation processes to intercept and mobilize core actors of their territories and increase ability of facing future challenges. This paper reports some of the results of a pilot project of knowledge co-creation carried out in 2021–2022 in the LAG Prealpi e Dolomiti, in the North-East of Italy. Its aim was testing these kind of processes while identifying possible changes and actions for the LAG in view of the new EU programming period 2021–2027. The test lasted 9 months, involving 46 stakeholders in 3 core groups; it used brainstorming, semi-structured interviews, site visits, focus groups and other participatory tools for data collection. Although not generalizable, results show that investments in real engagement both of long-lasting and recently created, formal or informal groups of actors can pay off. The LAG should innovate both its general procedures for designing its local development strategy, and its specific actions.