Insights for the implementation of the Rural Pact towards a sustainable rural/urban development

Scope and objectives

Building on its previous work on sustainable rural/urban development and the ongoing opinion on the EU Long-term vision for rural areas, the NAT Section is organising an online thematic debate on 9 February 2022 to explore insights for the implementation of the Rural Pact towards a sustainable rural/urban development.

This event will bring together representatives from several European institutions (European Parliament, French Presidency of the EU Council, Committee of the Regions, European Commission) to engage in a conversation with EESC NAT Section Members on the long-term vision and the implementation of the Rural Pact as well as the potential role and areas of collaboration for the EU institutions.

Speakers will discuss:

  • views from the EU institutions on the long-term vision,
  • potential role and areas of collaboration for the implementation of the Rural Pact

No registration is required. The event will be webstreamed on the EESC's dedicated webpage, save the date in your agenda and watch it live! Interpretation will be available into EN, FR and DE and viewers will have the opportunity to engage in the debate using the platform Slido, with the code #RuralPact.

Context

Rural areas play a critical role in economic and social cohesion, in regions' resilience, and in the contribution of countless services from various local ecosystems, including food production.

To ensure this, the European Commission published on 30 June 2021 a communication setting out a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas up to 2040. It identifies areas of action towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities. This vision includes a Rural Pact that will mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural residents.

The EESC is convinced that the future of Europe will depend on how we deal with rural areas and that we need to harness the role of local communities, creating new economic activities and job opportunities in rural areas, while providing good-quality services and fostering synergies with urban areas. No areas or citizens may be 'left behind' in the just transition to a climate-neutral, sustainable and prosperous European Union, in line with the objectives of the European Green Dealthe Next Generation EU recoverythe Territorial Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

To deliver this vision, all Member States, regions, local communities and stakeholders will have to engage through different ways and channels, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Member States' strategic plans. The EESC believes that the Rural Pact will require all institutions to be active facilitators for local urban/rural communities.

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