The highlights report from the Policy Lab ‘Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies’ is now published. It offers a comprehensive overview of the discussions held on 5 November 2025 and a roadmap for rural stakeholders navigating the next EU budget cycle.

On 27 November 2025, the European Commission adopted a new Bioeconomy Strategy setting out a plan to transition Europe toward a circular, nature-based economy. The Strategy opens new opportunities for jobs, innovation and sustainable development in rural territories.

A recent policy workshop, co-organised by the EU research projects ESIRA and SERIGO, suggests that rural policy should shift from fragmented interventions to a holistic, place-based and inclusive approach that builds on local networks, social economy and community-driven innovation.

The European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD) launched on 17 November a letter campaign urging Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Committee of the Regions (CoR) to reinforce the LEADER/CLLD method within the next EU budget cycle. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with local MEPs and CoR representatives to ensure that LEADER/CLLD remain protected and properly funded.

Discover ten new inspiring initiatives, ranging from exchange semesters in Austrian and German rural areas to a regional housing strategy in Spain – all available in the Rural Pact Good Practice database.