News | 10 Oct 2024
Empowering local communities to achieve Europe’s rural vision
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
The EU’s rural vision cannot be achieved without the involvement of local communities. This is a headline message emerging from the EU Regions’ Week session on ‘Taking the next step in shaping Europe’s rural future’ of 9 October 2024.
Reflecting on the future of rural areas post 2027, the session explored actionable solutions to amplify rural voices, highlighting:
- the value of translating the principles of the Rural Pact at national and regional levels to ensure political agendas take account of rural needs and local communities are empowered to act;
- the untapped potential of rural areas where local communities are taking responsibility for their wellbeing;
- the importance of intermediary organisations, such as Local Action Groups (LAGs), and increased financial resources enabling them to support rural actors with identifying funding opportunities and developing projects;
- the need for a holistic approach to basic service provision – services such as education, health, and mobility should come together in a supportive rural infrastructure.
The session, organised by the Dutch association of rural municipalities, P10, brought together rural development practitioners representing local authorities, research, the Rural Pact, and the European Commission’s DG AGRI.