EESC calls for a common EU rural proofing tool
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A new European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opinion calls for rural proofing to become a more systematic part of policymaking at all governance levels, helping ensure that legislation, programmes and funding instruments reflect the needs of rural communities.
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The opinion was adopted at the September EESC plenary. It argues for the identification of direct, indirect and unintended effects on rural communities from the earliest stages of policy design, enabling policymakers to adjust proposals to prevent or mitigate negative territorial impacts and strengthen rural opportunities.
The EESC calls for a common EU rural proofing tool, based on an EU-validated methodology and minimum standards, while allowing flexibility for different national, regional and local contexts. It recommends mandatory rural screening for all major EU policy proposals, followed by more detailed territorial impact assessments where significant effects are identified, stakeholder consultation and adjustments to address negative effects or strengthen rural opportunities.
The opinion highlights several priorities for putting rural proofing into practice:
- Stronger evidence: more detailed and comparable rural data, including age- and gender-related indicators, supported by the EU Rural Observatory;
- Meaningful participation: early involvement of rural communities, civil society organisations and social partners, with particular attention to women, young people and stakeholders with fewer resources;
- Coordination and accountability: clearer responsibilities across policy fields and governance levels, supported by training, transparent reporting and monitoring of whether policies achieve their intended results.
Looking ahead to the post-2027 EU policy and budget framework, the EESC calls for rural proofing to become a structural element of the next Multiannual Financial Framework and an ex-ante element of the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). It recommends that Member States and regions demonstrate how their Plans address rural needs and territorial impacts, using rural-relevant indicators to assess investments and results.
The Committee further stresses that regions, social partners and organised civil society should be meaningfully involved in preparing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Plans.
The opinion also links rural proofing to territorial fairness and the ‘right to stay’, endorsing the Commission’s forthcoming initiative. It stresses that access to housing, healthcare, education, transport, digital connectivity and employment opportunities is central to people’s ability to remain in, return to or move to rural communities.
Read a recent Rural Pact in-depth article on rural proofing.