All news

13 nov 2026

New Good Practice Brochure highlights generational renewal in rural employment and entrepreneurship

The fourth edition of the Rural Pact Good Practice Brochure explores how generational renewal can help enhance the attractiveness of rural areas, support intergenerational collaboration and strengthen local economies. Discover six inspiring initiatives from across Europe.

12 nov 2026

Manifesto on rural areas’ future presented at National LEADER conference in Portugal

Rural development must be recognised as a strategic priority for national and European public policies, with instruments suited to the diversity and needs of the territories. This is a key message of the Vila Verde Manifesto for the Future of Rural Areas, introduced at the Portuguese national conference on LEADER and rural development on 30 October 2026.

12 nov 2026

New digital travel guides developed for territories in rural Bulgaria and East Herzegovina

The EU-funded SMART ERA project has released digital travel guides for Devetaki Plateau in northern Bulgaria and East Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The free mobile apps are aimed at bringing two of Europe’s lesser-known rural areas onto the digital tourism map.

11 nov 2026

Strengthening the attractiveness and resilience of rural areas in Italy’s Abruzzo region

Abruzzo’s territorial attractiveness depends on creating the conditions for people to live, work, invest and build their future in the region. This was the central message of the event ‘Abruzzo and Europe’s Inner Areas – New Strategies for Territorial Attractiveness and Resilience’ held in Brussels in October 2026.

10 nov 2026

Ireland unveils new national rural development policy for 2026-2031

The Irish government has launched its second ‘Our Rural Future’ policy, aimed at driving rural development and strengthening the country’s rural communities. It includes a range of new measures and initiatives to support rural enterprise and employment, improve access to essential services, tackle rural isolation and boost community resilience.

10 nov 2026

EESC calls for stronger recognition and support for social farming in EU policies

Social farming can strengthen rural economies, improve access to social and care services, and support the inclusion of vulnerable groups. A new European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opinion calls for better funding, policy coordination and recognition of its contribution to rural development.

09 nov 2026

Research finds mixed attitudes to green policies in parts of rural Germany

Little is known about how people living in rural areas interpret green policies. To help bridge this gap, researchers have examined ‘green discontent’ in two rural regions of eastern Germany.

06 nov 2026

Engaging stakeholders in territorial initiatives: GRANULAR project toolkit

A new resource from the EU-funded project GRANULAR offers practical guidance on stakeholder engagement in territorial initiatives. It is designed to support territorial actors throughout the process.

03 nov 2026

Ireland formalises commitment to integrated rural development through the EU Rural Pact

Ireland has submitted a national political commitment to the EU Rural Pact, setting out actions to advance its ‘whole-of-government’ rural development policy, support rural priorities in the next EU budget and promote their integration into future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs).

29 oct 2026

Rural Pact Community Pulse reveals limited involvement in NRPP processes so far

The latest Rural Pact Community Pulse explored rural stakeholders’ involvement in preparation of the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). It gathered views from more than 100 respondents across the EU, including Local Action Groups (LAGs), civil society organisations, public authorities, businesses, rural networks, researchers and citizens.