A local councillor from a community of around 400 residents has visited the European Commission to learn how EU funding could support rural development, local associations, farmers and young people.
Golden Page News
BRUSSELS, Belgium — How can a small rural community benefit from European Union funding? That was the central question for Denis Bertrand, a deputy mayor from the French village of Villefranche-du-Queyran, who travelled to Brussels on 12 and 13 October 2026 to explore funding opportunities and understand how European policies can support local development.
Bertrand, the village’s second deputy mayor and a member of the European Network of Local Councillors, joined a delegation of French local elected representatives for an information visit to the European Commission. The programme was designed to help local officials understand how EU policies affect municipalities and how European resources can be accessed to support projects on the ground.
The visit was organised through the European Commission’s Europe of the Municipalities service, which provides local representatives with practical information about EU priorities, policies and opportunities to incorporate them into local public initiatives.
Understanding How European Funding Works
During the two-day visit, the delegation met experts from several European Commission departments to discuss issues directly affecting local authorities.
Among the subjects examined were the EU’s long-term budget, which was under negotiation at the time; the Common Agricultural Policy and its support for rural areas; and the European Union’s cohesion policy, which helps finance regional development through instruments including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
The representatives also discussed citizen participation and European democracy, exploring how local communities can engage more directly with European institutions and policies.
For small municipalities, understanding these mechanisms can be important. Although EU funding programmes can support infrastructure, employment, training, agricultural development and community initiatives, accessing them often requires knowledge of eligibility rules, application procedures and the appropriate funding channels.
The visit therefore offered local officials an opportunity to connect broad European policy objectives with the practical needs of their communities.
A European Gathering for Local and Regional Leaders
The Brussels programme coincided with the European Week of Regions and Cities, held from 12 to 14 October 2026. The annual event brings together representatives of regional and local authorities, European institutions and other stakeholders to discuss regional development, investment and cooperation.
The French delegation also exchanged views at the European Committee of the Regions and shared a meal with Belgian local elected representatives. Some participants visited Experience Europe, an exhibition centre dedicated to the European Union in Brussels’ European Quarter.
These encounters provided opportunities to exchange experiences and discuss how different communities approach local development, public services and access to European support.
‘The Challenge Is Knowing Where and How Europe Can Help’
Reflecting on the visit, Bertrand highlighted the practical importance of making European funding opportunities more accessible to small communities.
“For a municipality of around 400 inhabitants, the challenge is knowing where and how Europe can support local projects,” he said, according to the original report by Sud Ouest.
He pointed out that opportunities may be available to a broad range of local stakeholders, including associations, farmers, project developers and young people. The difficulty, he suggested, is ensuring that those who could benefit know which programmes exist and how to approach them.
Bertrand encouraged residents and local project organisers to contact the town hall to discuss potential initiatives and available support.
Why European Funding Matters to Rural Communities
For smaller municipalities, European programmes can provide an additional source of support for projects that might otherwise struggle to secure sufficient financing. Depending on the programme and eligibility requirements, funding may contribute to rural development, agricultural activities, vocational training, employment initiatives, environmental improvements and community services.
However, funding is not automatic. Projects must meet the relevant programme criteria, and applicants may need to provide supporting documentation, secure co-financing or work with regional and national authorities responsible for administering the funds.
The experience of Villefranche-du-Queyran illustrates a broader challenge facing rural France: ensuring that European policies and financial resources reach communities beyond major cities and regional centres.
The value of the Brussels visit will ultimately depend on whether the information gathered can be translated into concrete projects and whether local organisations and residents can navigate the funding process successfully.
For a village of just 400 inhabitants, knowing where to find support could be an important first step towards turning local ideas into practical initiatives.
Golden Page News | France & European Affairs
