All news
Filter results
Filters result
New opportunities for rural areas under Horizon Europe in 2026-2027
The European Commission has published the Horizon Europe work programme for 2026-2027, outlining upcoming funding opportunities under the EU’s research and innovation framework. The programme includes several calls of direct relevance for rural territories, notably under Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Local ownership through energy communities can help deliver affordable, secure renewables for Europe: new briefing
A new briefing highlights how energy communities – locally owned and democratically governed renewable energy initiatives – can play a vital role in ensuring affordable, secure, and community-driven energy across Europe.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Citizen-led energy innovation: apply to the Renewable Energy Community Prize
The European Commission is looking to reward energy communities that have developed creative, inclusive and effective governance models. Apply to the Renewable Energy Community Prize between 20 January and 25 June 2026.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Empowering citizen energy initiatives: apply for technical assistance by 16 January 2026
The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub is running a call for proposals to empower 120 citizen energy initiatives across the EU through hands-on support. Selected initiatives will receive advisory financial, technical, legal, stakeholder-engagement and capacity-building support.
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Share your views on future-proofing EU agri-food through research and innovation by 25 January
The European Commission is seeking stakeholder feedback to develop a new strategic approach to agricultural research and innovation (R&I). Submit your answers to the questionnaire by 25 January 2026.
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
European Commission presents new EU Agenda for Cities to strengthen urban development
The European Commission has presented a series of measures aimed at helping cities improve quality of life, public services and environmental conditions. The new Agenda responds to the growing pressures faced by urban areas, including climate change, pollution, housing shortages and social inequalities.
- Rural Pact
Why rural Europe trusts local leaders more than the EU: insights from new JRC study
A new study by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) reveals that trust in the EU has reached its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis – but a significant and growing urban-rural divide persists. The analysis further confirms that rural residents continue to place the strongest trust in regional and local authorities.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
JRC study reveals rising demographic pressures threatening citizens’ ‘right to stay’ in their home regions
Population decline, ageing and migration dynamics are expected to deepen territorial disparities across the EU in the coming decades, a new report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) reveals.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
EU Regional and Cohesion Funds evaluation confirms strong overall performance, but uneven territorial outcomes
The European Commission has published its ex-post evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) for 2014-2020, concluding that both funds delivered substantial support for economic development, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion across the EU.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
New OECD insights on strengthening rural innovation systems
A new OECD publication reveals how rural innovation is distinct from urban innovation in being driven by people, networks, technology and place-based creativity, rather than formal research and development (R&D) alone. It sets out concrete policy recommendations to strengthen rural innovation systems.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
