23/03/2022 (Agence Europe) – On 17 March, the European Commission published a study (https://aeur.eu/f/wc ) assessing the impact of the LEADER programme (2014-2020) on territorial development. It concluded that LEADER effectively developed solutions to the challenges and opportunities of economic and social development at local level. The study suggests that LEADER’s strongest areas are job creation and maintenance, local added value of products and enterprise modernisation. Capacity building and knowledge of local governance in LEADER operations were also identified as advantages. LEADER’s performance in improving the environment, developing environmental capital or promoting climate action is less visible than it is for the other impacts. (LC)