EU Rural vision

Are you a member of our online community? Sign up to get exclusive opportunities to network, discuss specific topics with peers and translate the Rural Pact into concrete actions.

Join our upcoming Good Practice Webinar on 20 June 2024 and discover inspiring examples of developing smart mobility in and between rural areas and improving accessibility with peri-urban areas. Express your interest to attend by 17 May 2024.

Explore the presentations and video recordings from our Good Practice Webinar of 24 April 2024 on successful methods of youth engagement based on the experiences of rural young people.

The third meeting of the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) of 16 April 2024 discussed ways of encouraging regional and national governments to commit to the EU rural vision and Rural Pact by implementing concrete actions.

The final conference of the Smart Rural 27 project of 19 March 2024 discussed support mechanisms for effective Smart Village implementation in the future. The wealth of knowledge collected throughout the project's lifespan, including analytical work on CAP and other policies, and lessons from the Pilot European Smart Villages Observatory provided the basis for reflection.

Apply to take part in a peer review for local authorities to receive insights and tailored advice from European peers and experts on how to improve the development and implementation of their 2021-2027 territorial strategies.

Contribute to the mid-term evaluation of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund (JTF) – fill in this short survey. Respondents have the opportunity to evaluate aspects relevant for rural areas, such as digitalisation, climate action, mobility and inclusion.

A new pilot action will explore regional approaches to the circular economy and develop and implement strategic concepts in European rural areas. Initiated by Germany within the Territorial Agenda 2030 framework, the pilot will involve regions that have already taken initial steps in the field through a pan-European exchange of good practices.

The annual competition of the CAP Network is now open for submissions. It seeks to reward the greenest, smartest, most socially inclusive, innovative and resilient Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) projects implemented at the local level. Apply through your National Network by 25 July!

Euromontana is looking for mountain stakeholders from across Europe to share their initiatives – local policy, project, study, methodology, tool – at the XIII European Mountain Convention on 15-18 October 2024 in Puigcerdà, Catalonia, Spain.

A survey by the Rural Health Compass – a social enterprise working to improve rural communities’ access to healthcare and other services – seeks to identify rural women’s experiences with access to health services.

The LIFE programme – EU’s flagship initiative for funding environmental and climate actions – launched its 2024 calls for proposals on 18 April 2024, with a total budget of € 571 million. Proposal submission deadlines are throughout September 2024.

This first call of the Pathways2Resilience project will provide 40 regions and communities with financial support of up to EUR 210 000, along with support services and capacity building, assisting them in becoming climate resilient. Apply by 6 May 2024!

A new study commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Natural Resources analyses Eurosceptic voting patterns and identifies possible explanations for voter discontent in rural areas.

Rural areas need comprehensive policies that address their multifaceted challenges through a multi-level approach to tackle environmental risks related to demographic challenges, a new thematic report by the ‘Down to Earth’ project highlights.

A new study, co-authored by the European Committee of the Regions and the UN World Tourism Organization, examines the significant impact and potential of tourism in fostering socio-economic development in rural areas.

The ERASMUS+ project ‘WE GREEN’ recently concluded its activities – explore a range of practical education and training resources to foster social green entrepreneurship among women in rural communities.