The 1st meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group initiates discussions to steer the development of the Rural Pact
The first meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group took place in Brussels on June 21, 2023. With a three-year mandate, the Coordination Group acts as a network of institutions and organisations, aiming to enhance the development of the Rural Pact for rural stakeholders across Europe.
Its main role is to explore ways to further develop the Rural Pact, focusing on activities to be undertaken by group members and themes to be addressed. They are responsible for engaging and encouraging stakeholder groups and partners to become members of the Rural Pact and to commit, as well as disseminating information about the EU’s rural vision and the activities undertaken by Rural Pact members.
The Rural Pact Coordination Group consists of representatives from up to 30 EU institutions and bodies, the organisations composing the European Rural Parliament, civil society, business, research and academia, in proportionate ways to ensure a balance of actors, country of origin, diversity of rural contexts and gender.
Among the selected organisations are:
- Ruraltour - European Federation of Rural Tourism
- European Rural Development Network
- Smart Village Network (Services)
- Rural NEET Youth Network
- Euromontana
- Ruralité Environnement Développement/Rurality Environnement dévelopment
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)
- SMEunited
- University College Dublin
- DIESIS NETWORK
- Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
- ECOLISE - European network for community-led initiatives on climate change and sustainability
- METREX Network for European Metropolitan regions and Areas
- Rural Youth Europe (RYEurope)
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Rural UOC Network)
Among the nominated organisations are:
- Partnership for Rural Europe (PREPARE)
- European Parliament - COMAGRI and COMREGI
- European Rural Community Alliance (ERCA)
- Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- European Parliament - COMAGRI and COMREGI
- Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- European Economic and Social Committee - NAT Commission
- Committee of the Regions - COTER Commission
- Committee of the Regions - NAT Commission
- European Economic and Social Committee - ECO Commission
- European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD)
- Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
At the presence of the Cabinet of VP Šuica,the participants engaged in participatory discussions on the strategic priorities and activities aligned with the Vision and objectives of the Rural Pact. They addressed questions regarding the relevance of proposed activities, key actions to advance each objective, and the role of the Rural Pact Coordination Group and its members in contributing to these objectives.
The session resulted in very valuable contributions and suggestions, which will be continued in the second meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group!
The inaugural meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group marked a significant milestone in advancing the goals of the Rural Vision. Organised in collaboration with the European Commission's DG AGRI and DG REGIO, and supported by the Rural Pact Support Office, the meeting demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering cooperation and achieving the stronger, more connected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas.
Stay tuned to read out the full summary note of the discussions, to be published soon.