Strengthening a diversified rural economy in the post-2027 period

• Provide a space for the Rural Pact Community to share experiences, practices and initiatives – including policy initiatives – that contribute to boosting rural businesses and strengthening rural economies, while encouraging peer exchange and mutual learning;
• Reflect and identify the main needs and enabling factors that support the creation, maintenance and growth of rural businesses, as well as the attraction and retention of labour force and talent in rural areas;
• Build the capacities of the Rural Pact Community on the best ways to address the needs of rural businesses and translate them into concrete actions, measures and reforms that could be supported through the future NRPPs.

Background

The European Commission’s proposals for the 2028-2034 EU budget, published on 16 July 2025, introduce a major shift in the architecture of EU funding. Under the new framework, funding instruments and policies under shared management – including rural development – would be brought together under a single National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP) per Member State, financed through one overarching fund. This new approach aims to strengthen coordination and synergies across policy areas and governance levels, and foster more integrated action across sectors and governance levels, including for rural areas. 

Strengthening the rural economy has an important role to play in fostering the competitiveness of the European Union. The future vitality of rural areas will depend not only on farming, but also on creating the conditions for rural businesses and local economies to adapt to demographic change, the green and digital transitions, evolving labour market needs and growing geopolitical pressures. This includes maximising the potential of sectors linked to and beyond farming, such as the bioeconomy, circular economy, renewable energy, tourism and the social economy.

Rural areas hold significant potential to create jobs, retain talent and enhance their attractiveness across a broad range of sectors, thereby contributing to the EU’s wider economic ambitions of the EU. The future NRPPs, together with the proposed 10% rural target, offer an important opportunity for Member States and regions to design measures, investments and reforms that unlock this potential and make rural areas more resilient, competitive and attractive places to live and work.

The Policy Action Lab will explore the key needs shaping the future of the rural economy, focusing on how rural territories can build on their assets, strengthen competitiveness and support economic growth and resilience. Particular attention will be given to making rural areas more attractive for talent attraction and retention, recognising that quality of life and access to services are essential to strengthen the rural labour force, ensure the ‘right to stay’ and attract new residents and economic activity.

The event will put a focus on identifying concrete measures, reforms and investments that could be supported under the post-2027 EU policy framework for the development of rural areas. The event will combine perspectives from the European Commission, inspirational experiences from Member States and regions, interactive discussions and field visits organised together with the Finnish Rural Network.

Held in Finland, the Policy Action Lab will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the future of rural areas along the EU’s eastern borders, where demographic, economic and accessibility challenges are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical realities. 

The Policy Action Lab is co-organised by the Rural Pact Support Office, the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Rural Network, the Finnish Rural Policy Council and the European Commission.

Target audience

The target audience consists of policymakers at national and regional levels involved in the design of policies for the rural economy and of the future NRPPs, as well as stakeholders representing rural communities and rural businesses.

Approximately 100 participants will be recruited via the online call for expression of interest. In case of oversubscription, participants will be selected based on their potential to contribute to the dialogue at all governance levels and their readiness to share or disseminate relevant examples while ensuring geographical balance.

The event will be held in English with no interpretation. 

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the RPSO for a limited number of participants from local and regional levels, in particular civil society organisations, local authorities and research institutions that need support to participate. Selected participants receiving support will be informed individually.