Rural areas in the post-2027 EU policy framework: Policy Lab highlights report now available
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
The highlights report from the Policy Lab ‘Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies’ is now published. It offers a comprehensive overview of the discussions held on 5 November 2025 and a roadmap for rural stakeholders navigating the next EU budget cycle.
@European Union, 2025
The report brings together reactions to the European Commission’s 2028-2034 budget proposals and explores their implications for rural areas. It reviews risks and opportunities for rural development, provides analysis of the new funding architecture (including the proposed single-fund model for cohesion, agriculture, rural, fisheries and territorial policies), and highlights emerging strategic priorities for national and regional decision-makers.
Explore the speaker presentations, video recordings and photos and bite-sized insights from the Policy Lab!
Key sections of the report include:
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Understanding the proposals for the post-2027 EU budget and policies – an overview of how the new Multiannual Financial Framework and National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) could reshape support for rural areas, including opportunities for more integrated funding and risks linked to flexibility and governance arrangements;
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Recommendations from rural stakeholders to strengthen the rural dimension in the future framework, such as rural ring-fencing, clearer rules for LEADER/CLLD and Smart Villages, improved rural proofing, stronger partnership provisions and enhanced capacity-building mechanisms;
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Insights from EU institutions and networks on the role of rural areas in Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and cohesion, as well as the need for robust multi-level governance;
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Discussion group outcomes setting out stakeholder proposals to improve the draft legislation, address territorial inequalities, embed bottom-up approaches, harmonise LEADER/CLLD rules, reinforce the partnership principle, and operationalise the rural vision within the NRPPs.