News

The European Committee of the Regions has launched a call for Cohesion Local stories, encouraging local and regional authorities to share inspiring stories that highlight the added value of cohesion policy in Europe. With the debate on the future of cohesion policy already underway, the EU is looking to reinforce it as a key European investment policy that promotes the harmonious development of EU's regions, cities and rural areas.

The event, entitled “Acting for Rural Areas - Sharing Rural Pact Experiences and Learning for the Future”, will bring together EU, national, and regional politicians along with local authorities, social and economic stakeholders in a participatory event that reflects the rural vision’s ambition.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has opened applications for its Best Tourism Villages initiative, which recognises exceptional rural tourism destinations. Applications can be submitted by up to eight villages per UNWTO Member State through their National Tourism Administrations until June 23, 2023.

The DESIRA project has released a set of policy briefs that explore ways to address the challenges arising from digitalisation while promoting its positive effects in various sectors. The policy briefs cover topics such as urban agriculture in 2030, bioeconomy and digitalisation in Finland, as well as Geodesign in rural Poland, among others.

The EU Commission has announced that applications are now open for the 16th edition of the REGIOSTARS awards. The awards are aimed at showcasing the impact of regional development and are open to all projects funded by cohesion policy, with entries encouraged from across Europe. If you have a project that has contributed to economic growth, social innovation and the harmonious territorial development of the Union, you can inspire regions to deliver impactful EU regional policy by showcasing your work.

LEADER France has published a new report entitled "LEADER: A European programme at the service of rural areas", emphasising its crucial role in supporting rural communities in France. The report features a catalogue of 40 exemplary LEADER-financed projects across France and Europe. The report is only available in French.

The EU CAP Network has announced the launch of the Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards (ARIA) 2023, to celebrate the positive impact of CAP-funded projects on agriculture, rural areas, and communities, offering a platform to share best practices and inspire innovation.

The SHERPA project has recently published two position papers aimed at supporting the EU’s Long-term vision for rural areas. The first paper, "Social Dimension of Rural Areas," explores ways to improve well-being and social capital and trigger rural revitalisation. The second paper, "Digitalisation in Rural Areas," provides policy and research recommendations to enhance rural digitalisation.

This Policy Action Lab will take place in Brussels, as a physical event, on Thursday 29 June 2023. It is targeted to policymakers and stakeholder organisations involved in the design and implementation of policies and initiatives to address rural depopulation across Europe using different funds. It will provide a unique opportunity to build on the work conducted so far and explore how policies and actions can foster development in rural areas suffering from rural depopulation.

From 2023 to 2027, €6.3 billion of CAP funding will support the improvement of animal welfare and the fight against antimicrobial resistance across the EU.

The Mission Soil Manifesto highlights the urgent need for action to protect soil health. It represents a key step for further local engagement by mobilising regions, municipalities, organisations, businesses, schools and other stakeholders, as well as citizens.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) has launched a EUR 40 million call for proposals for project grants under the 2023-2025 AMIF Work Programme with

The latest monthly agri-food trade report shows imports and exports of EU agri-food products for the year 2022.

The Commission launched an online dashboard presenting the targets set at national level by each approved CAP Strategic Plan, as well targets at EU level.

The spring 2023 edition of the short-term outlook report presents the latest trends and prospects for different EU agri-food sectors.

We welcome FLIARA, GRASS CEILING and SWIFT, three recently launched projects funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, to empower and enhance the role of women in rural life and agriculture through research, training, and policy development.

.

The 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 9 to 12 October 2023. Jointly organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission DG REGIO, #EURegionsWeek will welcome an increased number of participants to onsite sessions and exhibition spaces in Brussels. Applications to become a partner are open until 11 April 2023!

The European Commission and the Joint Research Center (JRC) have launched the Startup Village Forum as part of the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas’ flagship action on research and innovation. The forum is designed to promote startup-driven innovation in rural areas by creating an open and inclusive platform for institutions and stakeholders to meet and discuss ways to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.