All news

13 Juni 2025

Long-term vision for EU’s rural areas: Commission launches a call for tenders for managing the ‘Rural Pact Support Office’ assisting the European Commission in facilitating and strengthening the Rural Pact

The European Commission has launched a call for tenders for managing the ‘Rural Pact Support Office’ which assists the Commission in facilitating and strengthening the Rural Pact. The deadline for the submission of offers is 2 September 2025.

12 Juni 2025

Strategies for action on ‘Shrinking Smartly and Sustainably’

Effectively responding to demographic change requires a multi-level governance approach across a wide range of policy areas, while tailoring policies to the needs, challenges and opportunities of each region.

11 Juni 2025

OECD calls for stronger place-based policies to shape future-ready territories

A recent OECD publication provides insights on the design, implementation, and evaluation of better place-based policies. It synthesises the latest knowledge and evidence to assist policymakers in pursuing policies that build the long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability of regions.

09 Juni 2025

EU public consultation on gender equality: have your say by 11 August

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to inform the development of its 2026-2030 gender equality strategy. It seeks input from a wide range of stakeholders, including individuals, organisations, and public authorities from all sectors and regions of the EU.

26 Mai 2025

Horizon Europe calls open: EUR 37 m available for rural, coastal and urban communities 

Explore the funding opportunities available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6: ‘Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment’! A set of the calls seeks to fund research in resilient, inclusive, healthy, and green rural, coastal and urban communities.

23 Mai 2025

Rural innovation: explore the presentations and videos from our latest webinar

“We need to make rural innovation visible, viable, and valued,” said the OECD’s Eduardo Montemayor at our dedicated webinar of 22 May 2025. Discover a range of national, regional and local initiatives promoting technological, ecological and social innovation in rural areas – browse through the presentations and video recordings.

22 Mai 2025

Benefit from technical support for reform design or implementation in a range of areas

A new call of the European Commission’s Technical Support Instrument (TSI) will provide Member States with support for the design or implementation of reform projects in 2026. The support can take the form of strategic and legal advice, studies, training, and expert visits on the ground in a range of policy areas relevant for rural actors.

21 Mai 2025

Commission simplifies Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to support farmers and enhance competitiveness

The European Commission put forward a large package of measures targeting the administrative burden, controls, implementation, crisis response and investment needs of the agri-food sector. The proposed changes are expected to save up to EUR 1.58 billion annually for farmers and EUR 210 million for national administrations.

20 Mai 2025

‘For a strong and united European Union, as close as possible to its territories’ petition

The petition calls on the European institutions and national public authorities to confirm the EU’s proximity to its territories and European citizens, supporting them with the ecological, energy, and digital transitions, as well as the dynamics of territorial development.