Thema

Prosperous rural areas

Latest news

© European Union, 2025
14 Juli 2025

Discover the rural sessions of the European Week of Regions and Cities - registrations open!

The European Week of Regions and Cities returns to Brussels from the 13-15 October 2025. Each year, the event brings together thousands of participants and provides a platform for communication, networking, and collaboration on regional and urban issues. While the programme covers a broad range of topics, several sessions are expected to be particularly interesting and relevant to rural development.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Image by AndreyPopov on Canva
11 Juli 2025

From Declaration to action – rethinking rural power in EU policymaking: new opinion piece

While rural issues are increasingly recognised in EU discourse, true influence on policymaking remains limited. Read a new ARC2020 opinion piece by Edina Ocsko, Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) Vice-Chair, calling for a shift toward strategic engagement with power holders to embed rural development at the heart of European policies.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Image by Zvalalto on Canva
10 Juli 2025

Impacts of rural demographic challenges on environment and generational renewal: new thematic reports

Two recent thematic reports by the Interreg Europe ‘Down to Earth’ project demonstrate how rural areas facing demographic decline can build resilience and foster generational renewal through integrated policies.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform

Upcoming events

Seminar

International seminar for leaders of rural youth work

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar
Seminar

Unleashing the potential of small places – barriers and opportunities

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar
Calendar
Conference

Food systems transition for sustainable rural development

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Calendar

Latest publications

Highlights Report | Good Practice Webinar ‘Sustainable rural tourism'
Event Highlights |

Highlights Report | Good Practice Webinar ‘Sustainable rural tourism’

This highlights report outlines the main initiatives and summarises the main messages from the Good Practice Webinar on rural tourism of 7 May 2025, hosted online by the Rural Pact Support Office and RuralTour.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Policy Action Lab ‘Enhancing policy coordination for vibrant rural areas’
Event Highlights |

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
Declaration on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union
Other Publications |

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

Latest good practice

Regional innovation hub boosts sustainable food supply and resilience in rural Slovenia
Methodology | 09 Juni 2025

Regional innovation hub boosts sustainable food supply and resilience in rural Slovenia

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Circular-economy project addresses wood waste and sustainability awareness in rural Slovenia
Project | 09 Juni 2025

Circular-economy project addresses wood waste and sustainability awareness in rural Slovenia

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Rural Radicals: connecting urban creativity and rural regeneration
Case Study | 09 Juni 2025

Rural Radicals: connecting urban creativity and rural regeneration

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform