Access to services

20 mai 2026

Driving times to the nearest hospitals and schools in rural Europe: insights from Eurostat

European citizens’ quality of life depends on their access to basic services such as healthcare and primary education. A dataset from Eurostat can help identify rural communities with low or limited access by road to these services.

01 avr 2026

Improving essential services in Europe’s rural areas: insights from a European Parliament study

A recent study from the European Parliament analyses the role of cohesion policy in supporting essential services in remote, rural and depopulated areas. The publication presents several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of EU support in these territories.

30 Mar 2026

New strategy supports EU eastern rural regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

The European Commission has adopted a comprehensive strategy to step up support for the EU’s eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Key actions for rural areas include investments in agriculture, forestry, innovation, connectivity and communities, and increased activities within the Rural Pact.