AER meeting explores competitiveness and rural development in next EU budget
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Research and innovation
- Digital
- Rural-urban linkages
- Nature and environment
- Health and care
- Bioeconomy & circular economy
- Value chains
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
A recent Assembly of European Regions (AER) meeting looked at the role of competitiveness in rural development within the context of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. The discussion centred on the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), its interaction with regional development policies and the implications for rural territories.
Image by aluxum from Getty Images Signature on Canva
The meeting, held on 17 April in Brussels, brought together representatives of regional authorities, EU institutions and policy stakeholders to discuss how competitiveness policies can support sustainable rural development, innovation ecosystems and regional economic resilience.
Participants considered how the ECF could support innovation across the entire value chain – from research to market deployment – in key areas such as the green and digital transitions, resilience, health and the bioeconomy. They also explored how new EU funding instruments can create synergies with existing policies, particularly the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy, while preserving the role of regional authorities in shaping investment priorities.
The discussion raised significant concerns about the future of cohesion policy and the balance between competitiveness and territorial development. The proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans could reshape the management of EU funds, potentially reducing the role of regional authorities. Participants stressed that maintaining strong regional involvement is essential to ensure that investments reflect territorial needs and prevent widening disparities.
On top of this, participants emphasised the need for place-based and multi-level governance approaches, to ensure that rural territories can contribute to and benefit from Europe’s competitiveness agenda.
They also highlighted the importance of long-term investments, better coordination of EU instruments, stronger urban-rural links and active regional participation in decision-making. Competitiveness should support territorial attractiveness and enable all regions to contribute to Europe's transformation, participants concluded.