National and regional governments embracing EU’s Rural Pact

Public authorities – national and regional governments – can join the Rural Pact by formally committing to implement concrete actions for rural areas. 

Political commitments are actions intended to make the Rural Pact happen at national and regional levels in line with the seven Rural Pact ingredients (see box below) – identified in this policy briefing – and contribute to the rural vision by 2040. These actions can cover a wide range of issues, such as integrated national and regional strategies for rural areas, improved governance, rural proofing, better data and funding coordination, and stronger engagement with rural stakeholders.  

In recent months, six national and regional authorities have taken a proactive step to support and revitalise their rural areas by defining concrete policy actions and committing to their implementation under the Rural Pact, joining the European Economic and Social Committee and the regional government of Andalusia. In this video national and regional representatives, championing the EU’s rural vision, encourage others to join the Rural Pact and take action to strengthen the integrated development of their rural areas.  

New national political commitments under the Rural Pact  

At national level, public authorities in the Netherlands and Czechia have made pledges to advance rural development.  

Among its actions, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature aims to rural proof national policies – by working closely with other ministries responsible for spatial planning, mobility, public services and regional development. It is also studying how Dutch rural development policies can better respond to local needs, long-term trends and well-being challenges, with the support of DG REFORM and the OECD. Finally, the Ministry has also committed to collaborate with and support the Dutch Rural Pact initiative. This is an informal platform that brings together national stakeholders to discuss rural development priorities and implementation of the LTVRA in the Dutch context.  

The Czech Ministry of Regional Development has pledged to implement a strong and integrated Rural Development Policy, as part of the Strategy of Regional Development of the Czech Republic 2021-2027 and in the post-2028 period, to fulfil the LTVRA. It has also committed to support rural development in the post-2027 negotiations as well as continue coordinating and supporting integrated territorial instruments, such as Community-led Local Development (CLLD) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITIs), in rural areas.  

Latest regional political commitments 

Regional governments in Europe have also signalled their support for the Rural Pact.  

In Spain, Castilla-La Mancha’s regional government is looking to advance rural development through several avenues. It has committed to strengthen and improve the Strategy against Depopulation in Castilla-La Mancha 2021-2031, with the goal of attracting and retaining people in rural areas, as well as its political alignment with the Rural Pact. It has also pledged to improve governance and give a greater voice to rural areas, continuing to energise the Regional Council for Rural Development and Against Depopulation, and actively participating in the governance structure of the regional strategy against depopulation. 

As part of its commitment to the Rural Pact, the Catalan regional government will support implementation of the Statute of Rural Municipalities, introduced in 2025 and aimed at curbing rural depopulation in the region. It will also strengthen governance of the Rural Agenda of Catalonia, with the participation of civil society, the regional government and the Catalan parliament. In addition, the regional government will take part in activation of the Rural Guarantee Mechanism to ensure that all public policies incorporate the rural perspective and do not create territorial inequalities. Other actions include developing a Catalan Rural Pact together with different regional government departments.  

Elsewhere, Opolskie Voivodeship in Poland has pledged to advance rural development through the ‘Opolskie Rural Renewal 2.0’ initiative, a comprehensive framework embedded in the regional development strategy. The initiative involves, among others, promoting innovative rural solutions and good practices, as well as creating high-quality public spaces and facilities in villages. 

Have your public authority sign a commitment to the Rural Pact! 

Join the growing number of national and regional public authorities committing to action for the Rural Pact and the EU rural vision. Find out about the process for submitting a commitment to the Rural Pact on behalf of national and regional governments. 

Discover the commitments already made by national and regional governments, as well as EU institutions and bodies, including the Andalusian Regional Government and the European Economic and Social Committee. Explore some other inspirational activities that contribute to ‘Making the Rural Pact happen in Member States’ – browse the country pages.  

Many actions help to advance the Rural Pact at national and regional levels, not only those covered by political commitments. ‘Actions for the rural vision’ are voluntary initiatives from different Community members, large and small. Sharing them helps amplify rural voices, gain visibility and recognition, show leadership, foster collaboration, and influence policy debates across Europe.  

Seven ingredients to translate the Rural Pact into action

1. Structures, mechanisms to engage with rural stakeholders

2. A designated government member and dedicated services to deal with rural issues across policies

3. Capacity-building and networking support for a broad array of actors and stakeholders

4. A forward-looking vision, implemented through a holistic strategy/action plan

5. Effective rural proofing and adequate data systems

6. Appropriate governance systems to facilitate coordination

7. Mechanisms to coordinate the allocation of funding and ensure synergies

Author: Rural Pact Support Office

_{Article image: © European Union, 2025}