Rural Pact Coordination Group: fifth meeting

Objectives

Background

The Rural Pact Coordination Group

The Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) is the key governance body of the Rural Pact, composed of up to 30 representatives of the Rural Pact community. Acting as a network of organisations and institutions, the RPCG plays a crucial role in further developing and steering the Rural Pact, representing the diverse range of participants involved in this initiative. 

The RPCG brings together representatives of European non-governmental organisations, civil society, business, public authorities, academia and research, the European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, and the trio of Member State Presidencies of the Council of the EU.

The RPCG Declaration

The Rural Pact Coordination Group was particularly active in 2024 – this culminated in the Declaration on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union, adopted on 12 December 2024. It sets out a strategic proposal for the post-2027 EU funds and policies to address the challenges faced by rural areas. The document calls for a strong shift in EU rural development policies post 2027 to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s rural areas in the long run.

The Declaration is a response to the nine questions set out in the ‘The long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas: key achievements and ways forward’ report of March 2024. It was developed through a strong participatory process and contributions by Rural Pact Coordination Group members.

The fourth RPCG meeting of 8 November 2024 discussed: final suggestions for the RPCG Declaration; RPCG member organisations’ position papers on the future of EU rural areas and actions to promote the rural vision and Pact; and planned RPSO actions in 2025.

Explore outcomes of prior RPCG meetings.

Key documents for the meeting