ELARD's supreme decision-making body is the General Assembly, which is formed by all members (active and associated members). Observer status can be given to non-members, in order to participate when needed. The association is administered by the Council, which is appointed for a two years term by the General Assembly. According to the Statutes, the Presidency of the association is being held by each active member for a two years period (rotating system).
Based on this, since 1999 the National LEADER Networks of Italy, France, Spain, Ireland and Greece have run ELARD respectively. Since January 2011, the Presidency of ELARD is being held by the Finnish LEADER Network (SYTY) .
On the 7th of May 2009, during ELARD's first General Assembly under its new legal status in Belgium the new Council of ELARD was formed as follows:
| COUNTRY | REPRESENTATIVE | TELEPHONE | |
| Finland | Mr. Petri Rinne (President) |
+358 (0)2 7381 761 |
petri.rinne@elard.eu |
| Greece | Mr. Panagiotis PATRAS (Vice-President) |
+30 2410 555 282 |
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Portugal |
Mrs. Regina Lopes |
+351 217 819 230 |
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Czech Republic |
Mrs. Jitka DOUBNEROVA |
+42 0353 399 798 |
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France |
Mr. Marc BONNARD |
+33 0544 302 339 |
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Hungary |
Dr. Pal HAJAS |
+36 3071 809 12 |
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Ireland |
Mr. Jack ROCHE |
+353 5063 3833 |
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Italy |
Mr. Giovanni ALESSANDRI |
+39 0564 405 252 |
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Latvia |
Mr. Valdis KUDINS |
+371 28811439 |
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Northern Ireland |
Mr. Miceal McCOY |
+44 0283 026 3177 |
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Scotland |
Mrs. Patricia METHVEN |
+44 147 987 535 |
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| Spain |
Mrs. Maria MURCIANO |
+34 911 289 748 |