The Rural Pact: building connections across Europe’s rural policy and practice community

These exchanges form part of the Rural Pact’s broader role in supporting the implementation of the EU rural vision by encouraging dialogue, coordination and knowledge sharing across policy areas and stakeholder groups. They help connect actors working on topics such as territorial development, innovation, entrepreneurship, youth, ageing, migration, local governance, social inclusion and Smart Villages. 

In 2026, the RPSO has met with a growing range of European organisations and networks, including representatives of local and regional authorities, civil society, businesses, researchers, youth and senior organisations, territorial cooperation networks and EU-supported initiatives. These exchanges have involved, among others, AER, AGE Platform Europe, CEMR, ELARD, Enterprise Europe Network, the EU CAP Network, EURADA, EURAG, Rural Youth Europe, the Smart Village Network and several other European initiatives. 

The objective is not to duplicate existing activities, but to better understand ongoing work, identify opportunities for collaboration and facilitate mutual learning. Through regular exchanges, the RPSO can help amplify relevant initiatives, connect stakeholders working on similar challenges and encourage the sharing of knowledge, experiences and resources across sectors and territories. 

This cooperation also contributes to a more joined-up approach to topics that are increasingly important for rural areas, including competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, generational renewal, territorial development and the emerging debate on the ‘right to stay’. 

As the Rural Pact continues to grow, cooperation with European networks and initiatives remains an important way to broaden outreach, engage new stakeholders and strengthen connections across the wider rural policy and practice community.