LINC Åland 2027 brings the LEADER community to a place unlike any other.

For the first time, LINC is hosted by a self-governing region.
Åland, an autonomous part of Finland, lies in the middle of the Baltic Sea and is shaped by its strong local identity, a unique history, a close connection to the sea and life across some 27,000 islands and skerries.

LINC – LEADER Inspired Network Community – is a European conference bringing together Local Action Groups and rural development communities from across Europe and beyond, for exchange, inspiration, networking and new partnerships.

Initiated by Local Action Groups and National Rural Network Units more than 15 years ago, LINC has grown into a European community connecting people and places through the LEADER method.

Under the motto “Get informed – Get inspired – Get involved”, LINC provides a space for sharing ideas, discovering community-led projects and building lasting partnerships across European LEADER regions.

LINC 2027 invites you to explore community-led local development and life in an autonomous archipelago.

Let the sea LINC us.

LINC 2027 is…

…a LINC of self-determination — discovering what local decision-making can mean in practice, and how communities can shape their own future

…a LINC of peace — exploring how trust, cooperation and resilience can shape a more peaceful Europe

…a LINC with the sea — discovering how water shapes communities, livelihoods and opportunities

…a LINC of cooperation — connecting people, ideas and places and turning encounters into new partnerships

…a LINC of place — exploring how local identity, culture and the character of a place can inspire community-led development