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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.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
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.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
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.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
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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.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
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).
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
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.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Rural innovation needs stronger networks, skills and place-based support, Startup Village Forum highlights
Rural businesses are actively innovating, but stronger cooperation, access to skills and services, and place-based support are needed to unlock their potential. These were key messages from the European Startup Village Forum 2026, held on 15 October in Brussels.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Smart Villages in practice: new report highlights what makes community-led approaches work
Smart Villages work best as community-led development processes rather than isolated projects, according to a new Rural Pact report. Drawing on implementation experience across selected EU Member States, it examines funding models, local partnerships and the practical conditions needed to turn community strategies into action.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
