The vital importance of rural territories to society must be recognised, its image and perception among urban populations and decision-makers must be improved, with a deconstruction of stereotypes.
Flagship: Revitalising rural areas most affected by population loss
A rural revitalisation platform has been set-up as a one-stop shop for rural communities, rural project holders and local authorities alike to collaborate, share information, inspiring practices and tools. The platform addresses in priority rural areas affected by population loss, ageing and lack of economic opportunities.
Flagship: Creating a stronger innovation ecosystem for rural areas
The flagship on research and innovation for rural communities contributes to advance knowledge and create an enabling environment for innovation to happen in rural areas. It brings together public and private players who act for rural communities to thrive and be attractive places for innovators to work and live. The flagship:
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invests in dedicated rural research and innovation projects under Horizon Europe:
- See calls for projects under Cluster 6 destination “Communities” and EU CAP network publication on calls for 2023.
- See call for projects under Cluster 2 destination “Heritage” and “socio-economic transformations”
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connects rural innovators through:
- the Agriculture European innovation partnership, addressing in priority farmers and foresters and related industries and value chains but now extending to rural areas more broadly under the new CAP,
- a new European forum for startup villages, facilitating startup-driven innovation in rural areas.
See results of inspiring rural research projects funded under Horizon 2020 or visit the SHERPA repository.
See the list of rural research projects funded under Horizon Europe.
Enhanced networking for LEADER and Smart villages
Over the past 30 years, communities have been empowered to develop local strategies with common agricultural policy funding through LEADER, extended to other funds through the so-called community-led local development. The Commission promotes enhanced networking for LEADER in the framework of the EU CAP Network.
See LEADER related activities under the EU CAP network.
The European Commission launched in 2017 an EU action for smart villages. Since then, thanks to the European Parliament’s support, several projects and preparatory actions have helped to develop the concept, accompany villages, explore policy options to support smart villages and make it an integral part of the policy framework for the 2023-2027 period.
Discover the final report of Smart rural 21 and tools developed by Smart Rural 21, and follow the activities of Smart Rural 27.
Optimising land use planning
The Commission will carry out in 2023 a study on competition for land use and sustainable farming and provide a sound and comprehensive analysis of the main impacts of sectoral developments on land use in the EU’s rural areas. It will identify recommendations to foster the optimal development of land use planning to promote sustainable farming and other economic activities.
Supporting rural youth
The Commission will carry out in 2023 a study that will explore the reasons for lower participation of rural young people in EU funded programmes such as ERASMUS + and European solidarity Corps, and make recommendations on how to improve the situation.
Inclusion measures adopted in October 2021, covering all fields of education, training, youth and sport also aim to help rural young people benefit more from these programmes.
See Rural pact conference’s session on Youth as leaders of change in rural areas (video, project brochure, presentations)