Event - Seminar

Policy Action Lab 'Bringing the Rural Pact closer to citizens'

This Policy Action Lab, organised by the Rural Pact Support Office, developed proposals to enhance the achievement of the Rural Vision and Pact objectives at the local level.

  • - CEST
  • English
  • Le Plaza Hotel Brussels - Brussels, Belgium
  • In-person
Objectives 
  • Identify key ingredients for a successful implementation of the Rural Pact at the local level and approaches to make it happen; 
  • Offer participants a space to analyse in-depth inspiring local initiatives and exchange on how the Rural Pact can be brought closer to citizens.
English language

Agenda

(PDF – 212.09 KB)

Policy Lab May 2024
Image by halfpoint on Canva
Background 

Following the discussion during the Policy Action Labs organised in June and December 2023, the Rural Pact conference in Sweden (May 2023), the High-Level Rural Policy Forum in Sigüenza (September 2023) and the publication of the Policy Briefing on “Making the Rural Pact happen in Member States”, there is already a considerable body of ideas, recommendations and practical solutions concerning the translation of the Rural Pact into national and regional policies.  

However, significant work still needs to be done, at all governance levels, to ensure that the ambitions of the Rural Vision and Pact become a reality on the ground, for all rural communities across the EU. The Rural Vision can only be achieved if national and regional policies open up possibilities for local-level actors to decide how to address local needs and opportunities. 

On this basis, this Policy Action Lab enabled participants to look for the best ways to translate the Rural Pact into action in the local context: for example, how LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) can act as local Rural Pact promoters or how communities can play a strong role in decision-making on programmes and policies impacting rural areas, such as rural proofing and programming of EU funds. Proposals and recommendations developed during the event took into account the European Commission’s public report on the implementation of the Rural Vision and the ways forward, published on 27 March 2024. 

The event analysed examples of inspiring local-level action in the format of ‘Rural Pact Laboratories’ to foster an understanding of what the Rural Pact at local level could look like and what would be its key characteristics or elements (similarly to the seven key ingredients around which the Rural Pact can be structured at national or regional levels).  

The discussion also helped to identify success factors and develop proposals on how to enhance the achievement of Rural Vision and Pact objectives at the local level. Outcomes from the discussion will feed into a dedicated Policy Briefing on the same topic, due for publication in September 2024.  

Target audience 

The Policy Lab gathered over 100 participants, relevant local actors and organisations (e.g. LAGs, smart villages, associations, hubs, third places, etc.) as well as policymakers (e.g. municipalities, regional and national public authorities) involved in the design and implementation of initiatives or policies having an impact on local rural communities.  

Background documents 

Additional info

Venue

Le Plaza Hotel Brussels

Bld Adolphe Max 118-126 Brussels 1000 Belgium

Organiser

Rural Pact Support Office

Other

Resources

English language

Introduction to the day, Pascale Van Doren, Rural Pact Support Office

(PDF – 990.44 KB)

English language

Key achievements and way forward for the Rural Vision and the Rural Pact, Alexia Rouby, European Commission,DG AGRI

(PDF – 773.1 KB)

English language

What is the Rural Pact and the seven ingredients at national and regional levels, Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Rural Pact Support Office

(PDF – 691.18 KB)

English language

The Landscape Charter to mobilise rural stakeholders and plan action in Priorat, Sergi Mendez, Consell Comarcal del Priorat & Pere Sala, Observatorio del Paisaje (Spain)

(PDF – 2.5 MB)

English language

Fostering territorial cohesion through a dedicated instrument in Pays Vallée du Loir, Bruno Weber Regnier, PETR Pays Vallée du Loir (France)

(PDF – 746.78 KB)

English language

The Italian Inner Areas Strategy supporting local action, Mirta Sutter, LAG Montagnappennino (Italy)

(PDF – 762.63 KB)

English language

Rural Pact Laboratory, Group discussion: Understanding how the Rural Pact can be translated at local level, Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Rural Pact Support Office

(PDF – 315.6 KB)

English language

Hilvarenbeek Smart Village​

(PDF – 842.76 KB)

English language

Cult(r)ural mediation as a leverage point for regional development, Sunland (Bulgaria)

(PDF – 4.51 MB)

English language

Des Hommes et des Arbres, Mathieu Ruillet

(PDF – 3.56 MB)

English language

Bringing the Rural Pact closer to citizens​, Sari Rautio, Keynote listener

(PDF – 627.16 KB)

English language

Next steps, Pascale Van Doren, Rural Pact Support Office

(PDF – 507.62 KB)

English language

Closing remarks, Antonia Gámez Moreno, European Commission, DG AGRI and Wallis Vandebrock-Goëlen, European Commission, DG REGIO

(PDF – 367.58 KB)