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RSSNew insights and lessons learned from the Rural Pact Conference in Sweden
The Rural Pact Conference “Acting for Rural Areas - Sharing Rural Pact Experiences and Learning for the Future” took place in Uppsala 3-4 May. Some 150 participants from institutions & NGOs of 27 Member States gathered on site at Ultuna, campus for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Empowering remote areas: Kiruna Declaration paves the way for a just transition
The Bureau of the Committee of the Regions, gathering European Union's local and regional leaders, met in Kiruna, Sweden, in April. They have adopted the Kiruna Declaration, calling the EU institutions to take into account the specific challenges faced by remote areas in the EU budget.
Museum in the Village: where cultural heritage meets well-being!
Museum in the Village is a cultural programme designed for rural residents aged over 65, who often face limited accessibility to cultural activities. The initiative connects 13 museums & 13 villages across Portugal, bringing together museum professionals, artists, communities, and local authorities.
Digital skills – there is still room for improvement
In 2021, over one quarter (26%) of the EU population aged 16–74 years reported to have above-basic overall digital skills. For people living in rural areas this share was 20%, while a higher share was recorded for people living in cities (33%).
Get inspired by social entrepreneurship practices in European rural areas
On 11 May 2023, the Rural Pact Support Office hosted its first Good Practice webinar entitled “Fostering social entrepreneurship in rural areas through local action”. We are excited to announce that all the presentations and video recordings from this event have been uploaded to the event page.
European Commission proposes measures to boost digital skills
The European Commission has adopted two proposals for Council recommendations as part of the European Year of Skills, to enhance digital education and skills development.
Welcome the European Year of Skills!
The EU co-legislators agreed on the European Year of Skills on March 7, 2023. The initiative will provide a unique opportunity to push for a skills revolution in Europe, promoting upskilling and reskilling of all working-age people, regardless of their current skills level.
The Council of the EU promotes the special role of rural areas for the bioeconomy
The Council of the European Union has adopted on 25 April new conclusions on “opportunities of the bioeconomy in the light of current challenges with special emphasis on rural areas”.
Join the innovation movement: the EC launches a call for Regional Innovation Valleys
The European Commission is launching a call for Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) to strengthen Europe's innovation ecosystems and address Europe's societal challenges, in particular those of digital and green transitions.
Boosting rural skills: ARIA23 Awards celebrates innovation in agriculture and rural development
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.