On Monday 20 December, the European Commission launched the ‘Rural Pact’ initiative, foreseen in the Communication on the long-term vision for rural areas.
The new Pact aims to mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural communities. It will provide a common framework for engagement and cooperation between stakeholders at EU, national, regional and local levels.
Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica and Commissioners Janusz Wojciechowski (Agriculture) and Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion) issued an open invitation (https://bit.ly/3ebZCep ) to participate in the discussion.
Based on extensive consultations with citizens and rural stakeholders, the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas identifies pressing challenges and highlights some of the most promising opportunities for these areas (see EUROPE 12752/21).
Between now and June 2022, stakeholders and actors can join the Rural Pact Community and share thoughts on its implementation.
In June 2022, the Rural Pact high-level conference will take stock of the commitments made and the ideas put forward, and define the next steps.
On 9 December, in Brussels, the French Rural Parliament organised a ‘Ruralisons l’Europe’ day on the theme of the European rural agenda.
Link: https://bit.ly/3FlbCX2 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)