In recent years, the European Union (EU) has been dedicated to revitalising its rural areas and ensuring their long-term sustainability. This vision for the EU's rural regions, referred to as the Long-Term Vision for EU's Rural Areas (LTVRA), has gained significant political momentum. Various EU institutions and Member States have shown a growing interest in shaping the future of these regions. At the heart of this transformative initiative lies the Rural Pact, a framework for cooperation and collaboration. Since its launch in 2021, the LTVRA and the Rural Pact have evolved into central themes on the EU's political agenda. European institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and the Committee of the Regions (CoR), have actively contributed to this initiative by developing opinions and aligning themselves with this vision. A key milestone was reached when the Council of the European Union acknowledged the importance of the EU rural vision in its conclusions on the 8th Cohesion Report in June 2022. Subsequently, in April 2023, the Council highlighted the rural vision in its conclusions on the bioeconomy, emphasising the continued commitment to this transformative agenda.

You are cordially invited to read the article: Reflecting on past achievements: Empowering Europe's rural future with the rural pact