News

A new publication from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that rural companies are not inherently less innovative than urban firms, but they innovate differently. It identifies drivers and barriers affecting rural businesses and offers policy directions to support rural innovation.

The new resource showcases how countries and regions across Europe are establishing structures, mechanisms and approaches to strengthen rural governance, stakeholder engagement and integrated rural development.

A new European Committee of the Regions (CoR) report provides an overview of the most pressing challenges faced by Europe’s regions and cities and solutions to inform EU policy decisions. It calls for a post-2027 cohesion policy which continues to foster integrated strategies for territorial revitalisation, including ensuring the ‘right to stay’.

Representatives of 40 Hungarian Local Action Groups (LAGs) adopted a joint Declaration calling for stronger local decision-making, predictable LEADER funding and meaningful rural participation in future EU policies at a national LEADER event held on 23 September 2026 in Kakucs, Hungary.

The latest Eurobarometer survey reveals that 95% of Europeans consider agriculture and rural areas important for Europe's future. Similarly, 93% feel that securing a stable food supply for the EU is vital.