Our objectives

Looking to the future…

Europe will either be social and citizen-oriented, based on equal opportunities, or it won’t. Solidarity is not only a modern concept, it is also necessary to pursue European construction. Surely the EU’s wealth is primarily dependent upon the quality of its human resources, respecting their diversities and taking into account the needs of its populations and all of its territories?

To revitalise the employment market, boost activities in the interest of the community, leaving no one on the wayside, the notion of “local development” was established in the 1980s in national and European plans. Surely the local level is best suited to assess requirements (be they environmental, social or economic), generate initiatives, orchestrate know-how and to seek the utmost participation from its inhabitants? But at the same time, a paradox emerges. On the one hand, local actors have a pressing need for European information about European Union initiatives, programmes and policies which affect them, along with best practices conducted in other places, with a view to building trans-regional and trans-national partnerships, etc. But on the other hand, these same actors, with highly diversified profiles (SMEs, social economy businesses, associations of citizens, public administrations, political decision-makers, economic agents, etc.) find it particularly difficult to obtain this European information which they are seeking. This is notably the result of their remoteness from major decision-making centres.

AEIDL was founded in 1988, against this background. Its initial justification was to provide the various local development actors with the European information they specifically required. The European Commission then recognised the value of this association, first of all by entrusting it with the coordination of ELISE (the European network of information on local employment initiatives) and then with the technical assistance of LEADER, a community initiative to support rural development in the most disadvantaged areas of Europe.

Now, some twenty years later and at the dawn of the 21st century, the picture has changed significantly. The concept of “local development” – initially a pilot approach – has spread into other actions and programmes initiated by the European Commission. Lessons have also emerged from the local level, identifying the factors which are essential for successful and sustainable local development: operating in a truly integrated manner, mobilising citizens, combining development with solidarity and being capable of “acting locally whilst thinking globally”.

In the space of two decades, information has also undergone a profound revolution. Electronic tools and networks have greatly facilitated the circulation of information, both vertically and horizontally. Local actors’ requirements in terms of European information and related services have also changed.

Over the years, AEIDL has adapted to these new challenges, through a renewed range of services. The association thus offers general and more specialised European information, methodological tools, assistance to establish networks of actors, evaluations, advice and communication products, etc.

Whilst the gap between citizens and the European institutions has continued to widen, in spite of efforts made to counter this, an extensive task is now required more than ever to diffuse European information, working closely with local development and civil society stakeholders. More than ever, local development remains a relevant area, on condition that the notions of competitiveness and solidarity are not placed in opposition. More than ever, AEIDL is having to reconcile its objectives and fine tune its services, whilst diversifying its range of activities. Having reached maturity, AEIDL is looking to the future whilst continuing to pursue its youthful ideals.