EU funding frameworks still exclude marginalised communities

What the study found: The study finds that, despite an inclusive policy discourse, EU Community-Led Local Development often privileges resource-rich organisations and continues to marginalise those most in need. It says that structural barriers, rather than isolated problems, shape this exclusion.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that these limits are tied to deeper governance structures and that, without change, EU Cohesion Policy risks reproducing the exclusions it is meant to address. The study suggests that centring co-creation, redistributing decision-making power, and integrating community voices are needed for more meaningful inclusion.
What the researchers tested: The researchers carried out qualitative research in seven European cities. They examined urban development policies and how Community-Led Local Development funding frameworks operate, focusing on bureaucracy, project cycles, and the role of co-production.
What worked and what didn't: The findings indicate that excessive bureaucracy, short-term project cycles, and a lack of genuine co-production systematically exclude grassroots actors. The article also says that the current funding framework often works better for organisations with more resources than for marginalised communities.
What to keep in mind: The abstract describes research from seven European cities, so the findings are based on that scope. Limitations are not described in the available summary beyond the paper's own discussion of structural barriers and policy design.

Key points

• EU Community-Led Local Development is described as inclusive in theory but exclusionary in practice.
• Structural barriers and governance practices are said to block access for the most marginalised communities.
• Excessive bureaucracy and short-term project cycles are identified as key obstacles.
• The funding framework is reported to favour resource-rich organisations.
• The authors call for co-creation, shared decision-making, and community voice in EU urban policy.