Overcoming EU Discontent in ‘Places That Don’t Matter’ through the Community-Led Local Development

Abstract

The past year has certainly been a particularly difficult one for the strength and cohesion of the European Union. The outcomes of local and national elections in many countries (loudly) unveiled not only the emergence of new populist and nationalist movements and governments all across the Union, but also a growing disbelief in the European project and institutions. I argue that in order to overcome the growing EU discontent and regain a meaningful connection and sense of ownership to the European project, we need more two-ways interactions between the citizens and the Institutions. The EU should not only be more present and visible, but it should ultimately seek to directly learn from – and to actively engage with the citizens in the shaping of local development policies and strategies. If supported by an adequate and open strategy for citizens’ engagement complemented with the use of DPPs and token-based tools, the Community-Led Local Development could be an appropriate means to overcome EU discontent in the so-called places that don’t matter.