Smart and start-up villages
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Smart and start-up villages

Latest news

© Adobestock - Kev303
25 Febr. 2026

Join our upcoming Good Practice Webinar on LEADER/CLLD, Integrated Territorial Investments and Smart Villages!

Territorial instruments and approaches are essential mechanisms for delivering rural development policies across the EU. Express your interest by 24 March to participate in this dedicated Rural Pact webinar held on 22 April 2026.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
© European Union, 2025
10 Nov. 2025

European Startup Village Forum: scaling up rural innovation through trust, coordination, and investment

Rural innovation is already delivering – but scaling it requires better data, simpler rules, coordinated funding and empowered local actors, concluded the European Startup Village Forum 2025 of 29 October. The Forum brought together policymakers, researchers, financiers and local leaders to turn rural innovation from isolated success stories into a mainstream driver of competitiveness and cohesion.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Image by Andres-Victorero on Canva
16 Juli 2025

Unlocking rural innovation: webinar highlights report available online

Rural innovation needs to be recognised in all its forms: from social and ecological solutions; to digital tools; and small-scale experimentation. Innovation measurement frameworks and funding instruments must reflect rural realities and support local capacities, skills, and community engagement – read the highlights report of our dedicated webinar of 22 May 2025.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform

Upcoming events

Calendar
Calendar

Latest publications

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 | Good Practice Webinar ‘Rural innovation'
Event Highlights |

Highlights Report | Good Practice Webinar ‘Rural innovation’

This highlights report outlines inspiring initiatives and practical ways to strengthen innovation ecosystems and empower local communities to drive local innovation action.

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Rural Vision Magazine #2
Magazines |

Rural Vision Magazine | Edition 2

The second edition of the Magazine features a range of stakeholder voices on the most pressing developments around the EU’s rural vision and Pact in 2024.

  • 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
One-stop shop to multiple funding sources for rural areas in Tyrol, Austria
Methodology | 11 Juni 2024

One-stop shop to multiple funding sources for rural areas in Tyrol, Austria

  • Rural Pact
  • Rural Revitalisation Platform
Silicon Vilstal fosters social innovation in rural areas of Lower Bavaria, Germany