The Walloon Government has approved the Municipal Rural Development Programmes (PCDR) for the municipalities of Limbourg and Enghien for a period of 10 years.
The PCDRs are one of the main tools for rural development in Wallonia. Each programme is drawn up with citizens, local elected representatives and socio-economic stakeholders. This participatory approach makes it possible to identify local priorities and plan investments that meet the needs of the area.
The projects selected for these two municipalities are as follows:
Limbourg
Improvements to communal spaces and village entrances will also enhance quality of life and meeting places within the municipality.
Several priority actions focus on improving soft mobility and the living environment.
The programme notably provides for the creation of a cycling and pedestrian link between the village of Goé and Hèvremont, as well as between the centre of Goé, Rue Vesdray and Corman.
Enghien
The focus is on strengthening social cohesion.
The programme provides for the redevelopment of Place de Petit-Enghien as well as the installation of small recreational facilities in various neighbourhoods to encourage interaction and community life.
These programmes reflect a shared ambition: to support the harmonious development of rural municipalities while providing concrete responses to current challenges such as mobility, the environment, housing, employment and sustainable transition.
Each PCDR opens access to regional subsidies of up to 80% for the implementation of the projects.
While many Walloon rural municipalities are already on their second or third generation of programmes, Limbourg and Enghien are carrying out their first Rural Development Operation (ODR).
“These first programmes for Limbourg and Enghien clearly demonstrate the value of the rural development policy. I am delighted that these municipalities have joined this policy dynamic, and I am confident that the implementation of the projects included in these programmes will make a concrete difference to the lives of residents in these municipalities,” said Minister Anne-Catherine Dalcq.
Rural areas account for nearly 80% of Walloon territory and are a priority for the Walloon Government.
Rural development policy is evolving to become more efficient. A first phase is coming to an end, with initial simplifications for municipalities. A thorough reform is now beginning. It will be built together with local stakeholders, first and foremost the municipalities, around four objectives: simplifying procedures, speeding up project implementation, strengthening citizen participation and ensuring outcomes that benefit rural areas.