Bringing the "Rural Pact" closer to citizens
30.07.2024
Laboratory for action policies
The Technical Faculty of SPU in Nitra also had its representation in Brussels, where on May 22, 2024, a hundred European experts on rural policies met to discuss how to bring the Pact for Rural Areas and the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas of the EU, adopted in 2021, closer to its citizens.
The Rural Pact is a space in which all interested actors cooperate on the principle of voluntariness to fulfill the goals of the Long-Term Vision. The community currently has 2460 members who have registered 120 commitments so far. These are enthusiasts for the countryside, and everyone can participate without distinction. You can join directly here: Become a member of the Rural Pact | Rural Pact Community Platform (europa.eu)
Europe is currently living through elections, and that is why the Rural Pact is trying to get the positions of candidates for MEPs on topics related to the countryside. At the same time, it is trying to join the discussion on the upcoming proposals for the future Common Agricultural Policy of the EU, the form of which is currently being discussed and will be formally presented in mid-2025.
The Rural Pact also serves to connect various policies and departments operating in rural areas in order to break through departmentalism and creates a platform for a deeper connection of various policies with an impact on rural areas and to mediate mutual communication and exchange of information. It reflects the Commission's commitment to stronger, more resilient, more connected and more prosperous rural areas by 2040.
The countryside is of fundamental importance for Europe's identity and well-being and also plays an important role in solving major social and environmental challenges. The prosperity of rural areas depends on the coordinated efforts of a wide range of actors and stakeholders at different levels of governance. However, much work remains to be done at all levels of governance to ensure that the ambitions of the Rural Vision and Pact become reality on the ground.
A rural vision can only be achieved if national and regional policies open up the possibility for actors at the local level to decide how to address local needs and opportunities. Local heroes are everywhere, you just have to find them. However, political will is key. The EU gives high priority to rural areas, which should be reflected at the national level. The aim is to combine and strengthen several existing instruments, involve local actors and bring new wind and energy to the countryside.
People want to be part of decision-making processes and bring change to their region. They can mobilize others around them and use different support tools in a complementary way.
The Rural Pact is an opportunity to bring this fundamental change to the countryside if the administration takes advantage of it.
New volunteer positions of "Heroes in the Countryside" and "Pact Negotiators for the Countryside" are being opened by the Pact, as new categories that can bring a new perspective and new energy. We can also learn from mistakes. Those who have never tried anything new have not moved anywhere.
The possibility of revising EU support policies was also discussed, which opens Pandora's box. Current EU policies favor cities over the countryside and are set from the table in big cities. A change in management and institutional reform are also related to this.
No one can do everything alone, but everyone can do something.
