Solutions for generational renewal in rural businesses: new webinar report
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Youth
- Prosperous rural areas
- Entrepreneurship
Supporting generational renewal in rural businesses requires more than helping young people start businesses or identifying successors. It depends on creating attractive rural ecosystems that combine tailored business support with access to housing, services, connectivity and quality of life. Read the highlights report from our dedicated webinar of 10 June.
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- Read the highlights report to explore examples, lessons learned and recommendations in full, and access the webinar presentations and recordings.
The report highlights that generational renewal requires integrated support combining tailored advisory services, mentoring, matchmaking, skills development, simplified administrative procedures and dedicated funding to help transform ideas into viable businesses and facilitate successful business transfers. Intergenerational knowledge transfer is another key factor in strengthening entrepreneurial skills and supporting younger generations entering rural economic activities.
The event emphasised that decisions to stay in, return to or invest in rural areas are influenced not only by economic opportunities, but also by access to housing, services, connectivity, mobility and quality of life. Integrated, place-based strategies are essential to addressing demographic challenges and attracting young people, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.
The webinar also highlighted the importance of inclusive approaches to entrepreneurship and employment. Women, migrants, international students, newcomers and senior experts can all contribute to addressing labour shortages, supporting business continuity and creating new economic opportunities.
Partnerships between educational institutions, public authorities, businesses and community organisations are important mechanisms for connecting talent with local opportunities and strengthening rural communities.
Alongside contributions from the European Commission on the EU Strategy on intergenerational fairness, the Strategy for generational renewal in agriculture and the Talent Booster Mechanism, participants explored practical examples from across Europe.
These included business succession support in Austria and Spain, intergenerational mentoring in Germany, entrepreneurship incubation in Slovenia, talent attraction initiatives, rural healthcare, and inclusive approaches to entrepreneurship and employment in Finland, Spain and Scotland.
The event brought together over 150 participants from 25 EU Member States and nine non-EU countries, including public authorities, representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs), NGOs, private sector and researchers.