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CET
- English
- Pullman Brussels Centre Midi hotel
- In-person
The sixth meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) will overview the European Commission’s proposals for the post-2027 EU budget, reflect on the update of the EU Rural Action Plan, and discuss proposed actions emerging from Rural Pact and stakeholder events.
Specifically, this RPCG meeting will discuss the EU budget proposals for the 2028-2034 period focusing on strategic priorities, budget allocations, and implications for rural areas and communities. RPCG members will exchange on actions that can be taken forward, based on key messages emerging from several events following the publication of the EU budget proposals, including:
- The Rural Pact Conference (16-17 September 2025);
- Rural Pact Policy Lab on post-2027 EU budget and policies (5 November 2025); and
- Other stakeholder events, such as the European Rural Parliament (21-23 October), focused on opportunities for rural areas and communities in the new EU budget and related policies.
Additionally, RPCG members will exchange on the update of the EU Rural Action Plan, reflecting on recent developments, lessons learned, evolving priorities, and the Rural Pact Conference key takeaways related to the Rural Action Plan.
Objectives
- Discuss potential actions that RPCG members can take jointly to prepare their participation in the policy dialogue, building on an improved understanding of the implications of the EU budget proposals for rural areas;
- Inform RPCG members and seek feedback on the update of the Rural Action Plan on the basis of the main outcomes of the Rural Pact Conference;
- Update on actions taken by RPCG members since their fifth meeting, notably on advancing the RPCG Declaration outreach and supporting the development of national and regional Rural Pacts.
Draft Agenda
(PDF – 159.72 Ko)
In summary, the sixth RPCG meeting will build on:
- The European Commission’s proposals for the 2028-2034 EU budget and policies
- Highlights report of the fifth RPCG meeting of 4 June 2025
- Highlights report of the Rural Pact Conference of 16-17 September 2025
- Emerging conclusions from the Policy Lab of 5 November 2025
Background
The Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) is the key governance body of the Rural Pact formed by up to 30 representatives from 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 civil society representatives, 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 fifth RPCG meeting, held on 4 June 2025, informed members of the policy and inter-institutional landscape for rural areas and communities and discussed ways of maximising the impact of the RPCG Declaration. It exchanged on ways for further strengthening the Rural Pact at national and regional levels and provided an update on upcoming Rural Pact events, including the Conference on 16-17 September.