European Association for Innovation in Local Development - AEIDL
AEIDL is a Brussels-based, pan-European association that learns from and fosters community-led innovation to revitalise local communities across Europe.
With an extensive network of policy experts, AEIDL provides analysis and evaluation of relevant EU policies and advocates for an enhanced support to community local action.
AEIDL’s activities encompass sustainable and innovative local development in its broader sense. This includes sustainable development and the environment, territorial development (Cohesion Policy, Rural Development in rural, urban and coastal areas), support to territorial authorities and businesses, employment and social affairs, and the promotion of democracy and citizenship.
AEIDL is a partner in a large set of Horizon research projects on these issues mainly focused on formulation of EU Policy Recommendations, advocacy and dissemination. AEIDL has also been entrusted by the European Commission to deliver a range of service contracts such as the EU Rural Pact Support Office, or together with other leading organisations the EU CAP Network, FARNET/FAMENET network for fisheries areas, and previously the European Network for Rural Development, LIFE and ESF Platform.
Furthermore, as AEIDL's ethos as a pan-European NGO is to develop better EU policies and both the organisations and its experts are very active in contributing to the EU debates by way of studies, briefings, position papers, submissions, contributions to public hearings and membership of expert bodies.
Last but not least, AEIDL contributes to widen EU policy debate by way to the activities we organise for local practitioners, decision makers and the wider public, including through our European Local Innovation Forum.
Role within RURACTIVE
AEIDL is responsible for the mapping and analysis of relevant policies at EU level, policy recommendations and guidance to support smart solutions and community-led innovations as well as networking and up-scaling. Central to the latter will be the RURACTIVE Forum and the open contest for Additional Dynamos. Also, AEIDL is involved in the masterclasses for science and policy.
