Basic
Topic

Connected rural areas

Latest news

16 Dec 2025

Why rural Europe trusts local leaders more than the EU: insights from new JRC study

A new study by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) reveals that trust in the EU has reached its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis – but a significant and growing urban-rural divide persists. The analysis further confirms that rural residents continue to place the strongest trust in regional and local authorities.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
16 Dec 2025

EU Regional and Cohesion Funds evaluation confirms strong overall performance, but uneven territorial outcomes

The European Commission has published its ex-post evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) for 2014-2020, concluding that both funds delivered substantial support for economic development, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion across the EU.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
The Netherlands formalises commitment to strengthen rural development through the EU Rural Pact
11 Dec 2025

The Netherlands formalises commitment to strengthen rural development through the EU Rural Pact

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature has officially signed a political commitment under the EU Rural Pact, reinforcing the Netherlands’ engagement in advancing the EU’s long-term vision for rural areas. The commitment was formally recognised on 11 December 2025 in parallel to the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRI-FISH) meeting in Brussels.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform

Upcoming events

EU Agri-Food Days

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar
Calendar
Conference

Future Forum on Rural Development 2026

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar
Conference

The Festival of the New European Bauhaus

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar

Latest publications

Highlights Report | Policy Action Lab ‘Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies’
Event Highlights |

Highlights Report | Policy Action Lab ‘Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies’

This highlights report summarises the key messages and discussions of the dedicated Policy Action Lab of 5 November 2025, organised by the Rural Pact Support Office.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Rural Vision Magazine | Edition 3
Magazines |

Rural Vision Magazine | Edition 3

The third edition of the Rural Vision Magazine features a range of stakeholder voices on the most pressing developments around the EU rural vision and Pact in 2025.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Highlights report
Event Highlights |

Highlights Report | Rural Pact Conference: 'From vision to action: Empowering rural areas for the future'

This highlights report summarises the key messages and discussions at the Rural Pact Conference of 16-17 September 2025, organised by the Rural Pact Support Office.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform

Latest good practice

© Clara Löfvenhamn.
Project | 01 Dec 2025

Connecting rural entrepreneurs in Skåne, Sweden, to the wider innovation ecosystem

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Source: Rudaminos kultūros centras - RKC (Culture center of Rudamina)
Project | 01 Dec 2025

Small Lithuanian Culture Capitals: bringing arts and community-led culture to rural areas

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
© Institute of Educational Policy (Greece)