The area covered by the Local Action Group (LAG) Lyubimets – Ivaylovgrad is part of the rural regions of Bulgaria and the EU, which research shows face structural (socio-economic) issues such as lack of attractive jobs, skills shortages, low investment in infrastructure and services, and youth outmigration. Strengthening the area’s socio-economic structure, particularly by preserving jobs and ensuring generational continuity, is essential. The CLLD Strategy 2014–2020, implemented in the LAG territory, played a key role in supporting employment creation and generational renewal, contributing to local development. Continued support in this direction will promote sustainable territorial development and help achieve the goals of the CAP, as set out in the Strategic Plan for Rural Development 2023–2027. The initiative to develop a new CLLD Strategy for the period up to 31.12.2027, to be implemented in Lyubimets and Ivaylovgrad municipalities, comes from LAG Lyubimets – Ivaylovgrad. Given the successful implementation of the 2014–2020 strategy, with positive local feedback and visible territorial impact, the LAG undertook efforts to promote and prepare the new strategy, involving a wide range of stakeholders. To achieve the main goal—encouraging local participation and engagement in both development and implementation of the strategy—the core principle of the LEADER/CLLD approach was applied: the “bottom-up” approach, allowing communities to actively participate in project planning and decision-making.
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