Latest news
EU Parliament calls for enhanced cohesion policy to support rural areas
A European Parliament resolution of 17 June 2025 aims to strengthen EU rural areas through reinforced cohesion policy measures. It calls for increased investment in short supply chains, innovation in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, improved connectivity and mobility, and equal access to essential services.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
FUTURAL project calls for policy shift to unlock community-led rural innovation
Existing innovation policies seldom target rural communities directly – a structural shift to empowering local actors through recognition, funding, and governance reforms is needed. This headline message emerged from a recent FUTURAL project webinar which spotlighted how community-led innovation can become central to post-2027 EU frameworks.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
European Commission recommends strategic response to transport poverty
A new European Commission recommendation (2025/1021) calls on EU Member States to develop strategic approaches for combating and preventing transport poverty, identifying at-risk populations and areas, and adopting inclusive mobility policies.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Upcoming events
Navigating rural transitions: Exploring liveable futures
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Local Development Forum 2025: Global inspirations, local transformations
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Unleashing the potential of small places – barriers and opportunities
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Latest publications
Highlights Report | Policy Action Lab ‘Enhancing policy coordination for vibrant rural areas’
This highlights report outlines the main messages and outputs of the Policy Action Lab of 28 November 2024, hosted by the Rural Pact Support Office.
- Rural Pact
Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) Declaration on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union
The RPCG Declaration – adopted on 12 December 2024 – sets out a strategic proposal for the post-2027 EU funds and policies to address the challenges faced by rural areas. It calls for a strong shift in future policies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of EU’s rural areas in the long run.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Policy Briefing ‘Empowering communities to take action for the rural vision’
This Policy Briefing outlines how the Rural Pact can contribute to transformative local action in rural areas. It identifies a set of actions for both local communities and higher-level authorities to pursue in order to enable tailored responses to rural challenges.
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Latest good practice
Regional innovation hub boosts sustainable food supply and resilience in rural Slovenia
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Rural Radicals: connecting urban creativity and rural regeneration
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
Structured governance and information-sharing mechanisms improve Bratislava-Austria regional cooperation
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform