• The European Commission's communication sets out a long-term vision for rural areas in the EU until 2040.
• The report proposes a Rural Pact , as well as a Rural Action Plan
• The vision's goal is to consolidate empowered, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas.

These data have underpinned a communication from the European Commission on the EU's long-term vision and strategy for its rural areas. To shape this long-term vision, the Commission gathered the views of rural communities through public consultations and workshops led by European rural networks.

The elaboration of this communication reveals that the major deficits in rural areas are:

• The aging of its population
• The lack of infrastructure
• Job insecurity
• Limited access to services

On the contrary, rural populations have the advantage of being key players in the ecological and digital transition currently driving the world, and which the EU is promoting as a new development model for the next decade.

Rural Pact and EU Rural Action Plan

The communication of the long-term vision for rural areas proposes the development of both a rural pact and a rural action plan by the European Union.

The Rural Pact involves local, regional, national, and EU stakeholders who will participate in achieving the common objectives of the vision and promoting economic, social, and territorial cohesion. To this end, they will use the rural networks of each Member State as a framework for contact and discussion.

The Rural Action Plan includes:

• Providing political support to rural areas through the CAP and cohesion policy .
• The definition of 4 areas of action :

1. Strength : through the provision of services . Innovation plays a key role here.
2. Connectivity : strengthening transport systems and internet connectivity.
3. Resilience : environmental, agricultural and social sustainability (inclusion).
4. Prosperity : through the diversification of economic activities in rural areas.

To this end, the Rural Observatory will be created, which will be responsible for monitoring and developing the Rural Action Plan.

Calendar

The European Commission (EC) has set the following deadlines for achieving its long-term vision for rural areas:

• By the end of 2021 : The EC and the Committee of the Regions will define the paths to be taken to achieve the objectives.
• 2021-2023 : Review of Member State- funded rural development measures.
• 2024 : Publication of a report on areas for economic improvement and strengthening.
• 2028 – 2034 : new programming period.

You can find more information on the long-term vision for rural areas in the EU here .