Rural Vision Magazine | Edition 1

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Rural Vision Magazine! 

As we compiled this magazine, we were driven by the sense that 2023 has marked a bountiful 'harvest' year for the long-term vision for rural areas within the European Union (LTVRA). Numerous actions have been set in motion to translate this vision into reality. The seeds sown in June 2021 through the publication of the EU’s rural vision and the rural action plan, further nurtured with the launch of the Rural Pact in December, the first Rural Pact conference in June 2022, the opening of our Rural Pact Support Office (RPSO) and the creation of the Rural Pact Coordination Group in 2023, are now starting to yield tangible results. 

In this first edition, we try to reflect the progress made in 2023 towards the rural vision (section 1), placing a special emphasis on the pivotal role that Member States can play in its realisation. The High-Level Rural Policy Forum held in Sigüenza (Spain) was unquestionably a significant milestone, supporting the conclusions of the Council of the EU on the long-term vision for rural areas adopted under the Spanish presidency. 

At EU level, we emphasise the actions put forward to strengthen the Rural Pact community – which has more than 2 150 formal members – and its indispensable role in achieving the vision. In this regard, you can find inspiring words from the newly appointed chair of the Rural Pact Coordination Group established this year by the European Commission, reinforcing the multi-level and multi-actor nature of the pact. Also, we shed light on the added value brought to you by the Rural Pact community platform launched in June, an online collaborative tool where you can find all the latest information about the Rural Pact as well as information and resources useful for the revitalisation of rural communities facing population loss and economic decline. 

The Rural Pact focus (section 2) showcases the activities conducted to support the community, outlining key topics undertaken by the RPSO in 2023 to enhance capacities and bring rural areas higher on political agendas. You will discover examples and the progress made by rural actors in crucial areas such as rural depopulation, access to digital education, the energy transition and social entrepreneurship.   

Whether you act locally or at national or EU level (or in all of these areas), we hope that this magazine provides you with stories and information to inspire and drive progress in implementing the rural vision. 

We welcome your feedback, suggestions and proposals for contributions to future editions.