This page contains examples, inspirational initiatives, and actions implemented in France, which contribute to advancing the Rural Pact in the country.
The examples and information provided below aim to inspire other EU Member States to take action, highlighting some of the relevant efforts made in the country by September 2024.
The information has been gathered by the Rural Pact Support Office national experts. It will be regularly updated with new information provided to the Rural Pact Support Office.
Ministry for Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate, and Risk Prevention: responsible for policies on sustainable development, rural transport, housing, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience within rural areas.
Ministry of the Interior: oversees security and administrative relations between central and local governments, with préfets acting as regional representatives to ensure alignment with national and regional directives.
The ANCT implements and monitors the ‘France Ruralités’ strategy and manages programmes through its ‘Territories and Ruralities’ service. This service provides expert support to local policymakers in strategy and project development, and financial support for initiatives such as rural revitalisation and mobility infrastructure improvements.
Ministry of Agriculture: co-leader for implementing the second pillar of the CAP
Forward-looking vision implemented through a holistic strategy/action plan
‘France Ruralités’ national strategy
Building on the implementation of its first national rural agenda, the French government launched in 2023 a comprehensive programme to boost rural areas, ‘France Ruralités’, focused on tailored solutions and state support adapted to local conditions. The national strategy is a toolkit for rural areas based on four pillars:
Investment support: the ‘Village d’Avenir’ programme funds the recruitment of 100 project managers to assist local municipalities with project development and diagnostics.
Environmental funding: intended for biodiversity preservation and enhancement of rural environmental assets, supporting municipalities in improving their natural resources. The financial allocation in 2024 amounted to EUR 100 million.
Living conditions improvement measures: including EUR 90 million for last-mile mobility; (local transport to final destinations) 100 mobile health centres; 1 250 civic service roles; and EUR 3 million for social economy initiatives over three years.
A redefinition of ‘Rural Revitalisation Areas’: will receive targeted support, including tax relief and funding for company installations and recruitment of health professionals.
This holistic strategy ensures that resources and support are effectively allocated across national, regional, and local levels, with clear targets and milestones for rural development.
An important element of the programme is the promotion of ‘third places’ – spaces bringing together groups of residents committed to their territory – to foster collective innovation.
Avenir Montagnes: a plan for the future of mountain tourism
Launched in 2021, the ‘Avenir Montagnes’ plan aims to foster a diverse and sustainable tourism model for France's mountain regions. The plan, backed by EUR 331 million in 2021-2022, has two main components:
Investment: EUR 300 million, equally shared between the state and the regions, to support infrastructure projects such as sustainable tourism facilities, ecological transition initiatives, and mobility improvements.
Engineering support: EUR 31 million allocated across three support schemes:
Avenir Montagnes Ingénierie: provides operational support to 62 mountain territories for developing sustainable, year-round tourism.
Avenir Montagnes Mobilités: focuses on innovative and sustainable mobility projects in mountain areas.
France Tourisme Ingénierie: assists 50 mountain resorts in renovating and upgrading tourism facilities.
Interregional Operational Programmes
The French Interregional Operational Programmes (fr. Programmes Opérationnels Interrégionaux, POIs) are a set of targeted initiatives that address regional challenges that are not limited to traditional administrative boundaries. Initially set up as standalone programmes in the 2014-2020 programming period, they were consequently integrated into the broader Cohesion Policy framework under Objective 5 'Europe closer to citizens'.
The programmes focus on regions with specific geographical characteristics such as mountain ranges or river basins that often do not fall within the scope of mainstream regional development programmes. The investments are directed towards projects such as flood prevention, environmental sustainability, green initiatives, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.
Regional example: Redon Agglomeration
Rural Vision for 2027
The Redon Agglomeration's Territorial Project for 2021-2027 outlines a strategic plan for the Pays de Redon (Britany region), focusing on sustainable development and regional wellbeing through a collaborative approach. Launched following extensive consultations, including 30 workshops and nine thematic webinars, the project kicked off with a comprehensive diagnosis involving economic entities, associations, citizens, and institutional partners to pinpoint regional needs and opportunities.
The initiative sets out 20 strategic objectives across diverse areas such as ecological transition, economic innovation, and social wellbeing. A robust governance structure supports the project's implementation through an annual steering committee and various thematic groups to oversee and guide progress.
Regional example: Grand Est
Grand Est Region’s Rural Pact
The Rural Pact for the Grand Est Region, approved in May 2024, aims to support the diversity and vitality of rural areas through a comprehensive, long-term commitment. The initiative has a budget of EUR 800 million, focusing on preserving quality of life, protecting the environment and local agriculture, enhancing connectivity, and boosting the attractiveness of rural territories while fostering opportunities for youth engagement and innovation. The Pact includes a hundred tailor-made financial and engineering measures addressing key concerns, including mobility, housing, healthcare access, training, and job creation.
Appropriate governance systems to facilitate coordination
National Agency for Territorial Cohesion ensuring multi-level coordination of rural policies
These policies are shaped through consultations with national rural stakeholder networks. The ANCT translates these priorities into operational programmes, providing funding, support, and human resources to rural areas.
Coordination between local and national levels is managed through state local administrators at regional or county levels (Préfets de Région et de Département) who act as regional and local referents for the ANCT.
Mechanisms to coordinate the allocation of funding and ensure synergies
‘Aides Territoires’ platform
The online platform ‘Aides Territoires’ (Support to Territories) was set up by the Government to better coordinate and disseminate knowledge on available funding sources. This platform brings together all available funding opportunities, based on the nature of the territory, the type of involved structure, and the targeted thematic areas. Additionally, it highlights projects that have been funded under various funding schemes.
National Agency for Territorial Cohesion: central authority for coordinating rural development funding
The National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) is the coordinating authority for the European Funds in France for 2021-2027, directing rural projects towards the most appropriate funding sources.
At the national level, the ANCT also serves as the primary authority and contact point for various funding programmes dedicated to rural areas in France. Notable programmes include:
‘Petites Villes de Demain’ (‘Small Towns of Tomorrow’) which aims to enhance the quality of life in small towns and rural areas through projects focusing on green and social transitions;
‘Territoires d'Industries’ (‘Industrial Territories’) which supports industrial development to boost local employment and attractiveness; and
Additionally, the ANCT issues calls for proposals aligned with the objectives of the ‘France Ruralités’ strategy and implements territorial pacts in areas facing significant challenges, providing human resources to aid the development of local plans in coordination with policymakers.
Effective rural proofing and adequate data systems
Scientific Council monitoring and evaluating rural policies
The government has appointed a Scientific Council composed of 19 members with diverse expertise, such as researchers, scientists, and engineers, to provide new perspectives and monitor the implementation of the ‘France Ruralités’ strategy, offering recommendations for improvement.
The Scientific Council defines the performance indicators set to monitor the implementation of the national rural strategy. These indicators include metrics such as the percentage of vacant rural homes, the number of new rural businesses, and the number of projects benefitting from the ‘Village d’Avenir’ programme.
Structures and mechanisms to engage with rural communities
The Association of Rural Mayors represents approximately 12 000 rural mayors. It advocates for rural interests and facilitates dialogue between rural leaders and national public authorities, including institutions like Cerema and the ‘Banque des Territoires’.
Assembly of French Counties
The Assembly of French Counties includes the presidents of 103 local authorities, covering 95 counties and eight specialised local authorities. The assembly plays a role in shaping policies by bringing together various local governance perspectives.
National Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Territories
The LEADER France association is a federation representing rural territories that participate in the LEADER programme, aimed at promoting local development through innovative projects. The association provides technical assistance, training, and guidance to Local Action Groups (LAGs), and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and resources among LAGs.
Capacity building and networking support for a broad array of actors and stakeholders
Cerema: a centre for expertise in sustainable development and territorial planning to support public authorities
Cerema (Centre d'études et d'expertise sur les risques, l'environnement, la mobilité et l'aménagement) is a French public organisation that operates under the supervision of the Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion Ministries.
Cerema provides expertise and support to public authorities in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies in various areas, including sustainable development, environmental management, risk mitigation, mobility, and territorial planning.
‘Expertises Territoires’ platform
The online platform ‘Expertises Territoires’, developed by Cerema, supports networking among rural territories. The platform enables territorial stakeholders to share experiences and engage in peer learning on topics such as the green transition and climate adaptation. It functions as a social network where stakeholders can create and manage open or restricted communities.
‘Banque des Territoires’ and Rural Consultant
The ‘Banque des Territoires’ (Bank of the Territories) is a national public entity created in 2018 to support local governments, public entities, and private actors in developing territorial projects through funding, in coordination with the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion. It provides financing, investment, and advisory services to foster local development and address social, economic, and environmental challenges in France.
It also manages a dedicated hotline service, the Rural Consult,a free online and telephone service that answers questions of legal or financial nature to help rural communities. The service is intended for municipalities with fewer than 5 000 inhabitants and inter-municipalities with fewer than 50 000 inhabitants.
National Network for Agriculture and Rurality
The National Network for Agriculture and Rurality (RNAR) is a collaborative platform designed to support rural and agricultural development in France. Its primary aim is to connect various stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and community organisations, to share knowledge, best practices, and resources. It organises monthly meetings to discuss priorities, ongoing actions, and rural and agricultural development needs. These meetings aim to build a cohesive action plan and develop joint initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of rural development policies.
The RNAR animates the European Innovation Partnership in France by supporting operational groups, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and advancing innovative solutions to enhance sustainable agriculture and rural development.
The RNAR supports LEADER cooperation through a dedicated network that facilitates the creation of common tools and procedures for regional cooperation. This network also offers direct support to LEADER Local Action Groups via a cooperation hotline.
‘ANCTour’ organised by the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion
The National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) organises regular webinars and meetings to promote knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration among rural stakeholders, focusing on specific programmes like mountain initiatives. Since 2013, the ANCT hosts the annual event ‘ANCTour’ to foster networking and collaboration between rural stakeholders and national and local authorities.
A recent publication produced by the Acadie Cooperative studies rural policies and funding across Germany, Spain, Poland, Ireland, Estonia, and provides a comparative analysis with France.
Discover the final publication of the pilot action ‘A future for lagging regions’ of the Territorial Agenda 2030 exploring cooperative regional and local development as contributing factors for the long-term improvement of services such as digitalisation, mobility, health and local supply in rural and peripheral areas.
A new study commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Natural Resources analyses Eurosceptic voting patterns and identifies possible explanations for voter discontent in rural areas.
