European Rural Parliament adopts the Declaration of Inverurie setting out rural priorities for the future
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
Rural communities are ready to drive Europe’s future – but need partnership, trust, and the freedom to act, a strong message resonating from the sixth European Rural Parliament (21–23 October 2025). The debates led to the adoption of the 2025 Declaration of Inverurie calling for the recognition of rural communities to lead local development.
Image by LAG La Cittadella del Sapere
Over 400 rural representatives from 40 countries gathered in Scotland to exchange on how community solutions can contribute to global challenges, reaffirming that rural areas are essential to Europe’s food and energy security, climate resilience, cultural heritage and social cohesion.
A call for rural partnership in Europe’s future
The 2025 Declaration of Inverurie urges policymakers to apply rural proofing, secure long-term funding, and integrate the rural vision and Pact into future EU and national strategies. It affirms that rural areas are not passive beneficiaries, but vital contributors to Europe’s resilience, sustainability and well-being.
The Declaration advocates for this partnership approach to be fully reflected in the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 policies and budget, ensuring that the next framework delivers integrated rural development across all sectors and governance levels. It highlights the essential role of local people and community-led initiatives in building resilient, inclusive and innovative territories.
It calls on authorities at all levels to:
- Provide long-term, flexible and accessible funding that reaches communities directly;
- Make place-based instruments, such as LEADER/CLLD and Smart Villages, mandatory to strengthen multi-level and multi-fund cooperation, and ring-fence and expand funding;
- Turn the EU rural vision (LTVRA) and the Rural Action Plan into tangible actions backed with adequate resources;
- Apply systematic rural proofing in all policies, legislation and funding mechanisms;
- Strengthen the partnership principle to secure transparent, inclusive and multi-level governance;
- Actively support and build stronger ties with all countries seeking accession to the EU.
“We come with solutions, not with problems,” the Declaration states, appeals to institutions to remove obstacles that slow community-led action and recognising rural people as partners in shaping Europe’s future.
Strengthening rural development in the post-2027 EU budget and policies
A dedicated debate on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) highlighted a growing consensus that rural development must remain central in EU investment policies. Proposals include:
- Making CLLD mandatory across EU funds, with ring-fenced resources for LEADER/CLLD;
- Preserving Local Action Groups’ autonomy and decision-making;
- Reducing administrative burden and clarifying terminology and rules between LEADER and CLLD;
- Strengthening the partnership principle to secure meaningful rural involvement;
- Developing the EU ‘right to stay’ concept to ensure equal opportunities in rural territories;
- Mainstreaming rural needs across EU policy fields – from energy and transport to health and innovation.
Translating the rural vision and Pact into action at all levels
As part of the programme, the Rural Pact Support Office convened a session on operationalising the EU rural vision’s ambitions across governance levels. Discussions explored national and regional implementation pathways, building on insights from the Rural Pact Briefings on ‘Making the Rural Pact happen in Member States’ and ‘Empowering communities to take action for the rural vision’. These provide practical guidance for public authorities and stakeholders to turn the Vision into concrete strategies, partnerships and initiatives.
A major gathering of rural stakeholders, the Parliament is co-organised by the European Rural Community Alliance (ERCA), European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD), Partnership for Rural Europe (PREPARE), and Rural Youth Europe – all members of the Rural Pact Coordination Group.