Rural Pact Community Pulse spotlights priorities for strengthening competitiveness across Europe
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
The latest Rural Pact Community Pulse gathered views from more than 330 respondents across Europe on what makes rural areas competitive. Transport, services, skills, housing and digital connectivity emerged as key enabling factors, while public and commercial services were the leading priority for future policy support.
@ European Union, 2026
What matters most for rural competitiveness?
Most respondents – which included Local Action Groups, public authorities, civil society organisations, citizens, researchers and businesses – consider that the ability of rural areas to attract and retain businesses, jobs and talent is currently fairly weak (44%) or very weak (23%), with only a few describing it as fairly strong (10%) or very strong (6%).
When asked about the factors that matter most for making rural areas competitive, respondents most frequently highlighted transport and accessibility (42%). This was followed by access to services and amenities for workers and families (40%); the availability, attraction and retention of a skilled workforce and talent (33%); the availability and affordability of housing (32%); and digital connectivity (31%). Note that respondents could select up to three options.
Which priorities should guide future support for rural economies?
Support to create and maintain public and commercial services in rural areas emerged as the area that should receive highest priority in future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), in order to strengthen rural competitiveness. This option was selected by over half of respondents (59%) and it was the top selection for several types of stakeholders, including businesses, researchers, citizens, Local Action Groups, civil society organisations and public authorities.
Provision of transportation options for rural areas followed at 40%. Other frequently selected priorities included construction and rehabilitation of rural housing stock (32%), support for local business networks (30%), and valorisation of natural and territorial assets (28%). Again, respondents could select up to three options.
The results of this Community Pulse will help inform discussions in two upcoming Rural Pact events on competitiveness:
- a Good Practice Webinar on strengthening rural businesses and local economies (17 Sept 2026); and
- a Policy Lab on strengthening a diversified rural economy in the post-2027 period (29 Sept – 1 Oct 2026).
Express your interest to participate in the webinar by 28 August.
The High-level Rural Policy Forum (3-4 November 2026), organised by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission, will explore national and regional integrated strategies, including LEADER/CLLD’s contribution to European competitiveness. Express your interest in taking part by 17 August 2026.
The results provide a snapshot of views shared by responding Rural Pact Community members and should not be considered statistically representative of all rural areas or stakeholders across Europe.