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data-untranslated-label="About" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-1-link" >About</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-2"><a href="/action-plan_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Action Plan" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-2-link" >Action Plan</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-2-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/action-plan/stronger_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Stronger" >Stronger</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/action-plan/connected_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Connected" >Connected</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/action-plan/resilient_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Resilient" >Resilient</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/action-plan/prosperous_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Prosperous" >Prosperous</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/action-plan/cross-cutting_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Cross-cutting" >Cross-cutting</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/action-plan_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-3"><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-pact" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="The Rural Pact " data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-3-link" >The Rural Pact </a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-3-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/commitments" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Commitments" >Commitments</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/RPCG" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Rural Pact Coordination Group" >Rural Pact Coordination Group</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/RPSO" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Rural Pact Support Office" >Rural Pact Support Office</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-pact" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item" data-ecl-menu-item id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-4"><a href="/maps-data_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Maps & Data" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-4-link" >Maps & Data</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__item" data-ecl-menu-item id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-5"><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/news/" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="News & Events" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-207519787-5-link" >News & Events</a></li></ul></section></div></nav> </div> </header> <div class="featured-page-header" id="block-ewcms-theme-page-header"> <div class="ecl-page-header" ><div class="ecl-container"><div class="ecl-page-header__info--no-margin"><h1 class="ecl-page-header__title ecl-u-sr-only"><span>A long-term vision for the EU鈥檚 rural areas</span></h1></div></div></div> </div> <main class="ecl-u-pb-xl" id="main-content" data-inpage-navigation-source-area="h2.ecl-u-type-heading-2, div.ecl-featured-item__heading"> <div class="ecl-container"> <div class="ecl-row"> <div class="ecl-col-s-12 ewcms-top-sidebar"> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-row"> <div class="ecl-col-s-12"> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-main-page-content" data-inpage-navigation-source-area="h2, div.ecl-featured-item__heading" class="ecl-u-mb-l"> <article dir="ltr"> <div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_33"></a> <section class="ecl-carousel ecl-carousel--full-width" data-ecl-auto-init="Carousel" aria-roledescription="carousel" ><div class="ecl-carousel__controls"><div class="ecl-container"><div class="ecl-carousel__autoplay"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__play ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Play carousel</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--m ecl-button__icon ecl-carousel__icon-default" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#play-outline"></use></svg></span></button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__pause ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Pause carousel</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--m ecl-button__icon ecl-carousel__icon-default" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#pause"></use></svg></span></button></div><div class="ecl-carousel__navigation" role="tablist"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__navigation-item" role="tab"> 1 </button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__navigation-item" role="tab"> 2 </button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__navigation-item" role="tab"> 3 </button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__navigation-item" role="tab"> 4 </button><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-carousel__navigation-item" role="tab"> 5 </button></div></div></div><div class="ecl-carousel__container"><div class="ecl-carousel__slides"><div class="ecl-carousel__slide" role="tabpanel" aria-label="slide 1 of 5" aria-roledescription="slide" ><section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--text-overlay ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=xC3vZH9t" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=adJkbsOp" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=Dhe8w5x6" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_extra_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=v9Wg_Br7" media="(max-width: 1140px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=iGxn9V9H" media="(min-width: 1140px)" ><img class="ecl-banner__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-03/Main_max.jpg.webp?h=8a9c9679&itok=iGxn9V9H" alt="Rural landscape" /></picture></figure><div class="ecl-container ecl-banner__info"><div class="ecl-banner__container" data-ecl-banner-container ><div class="ecl-banner__content"><div class="ecl-banner__title"><span class="ecl-banner__title-text">Report on the long-term vision for rural areas</span></div><p class="ecl-banner__description"><span class="ecl-banner__description-text">The long-term vision for the EU鈥檚 rural areas: key achievements and ways forward</span></p><div class="ecl-banner__cta"><a href="/rural-vision/long-term-vision-eus-rural-areas-key-achievements-and-ways-forward_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--cta ecl-link--icon ecl-banner__link-cta" original-title-description="Report on the long-term vision for rural areas" data-slide-number="1" ><span class="ecl-link__label">Read the report</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-icon--primary ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div></section></div><div class="ecl-carousel__slide" role="tabpanel" aria-label="slide 2 of 5" aria-roledescription="slide" ><section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--text-overlay ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=Pmjrp3mz" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=E-SUjUsG" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=9xxUoYEy" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_extra_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=ECxLHfNh" media="(max-width: 1140px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=WWTkT9qx" media="(min-width: 1140px)" ><img class="ecl-banner__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-07/carousel%20picture%20for%20study.png.webp?h=895c35c5&itok=WWTkT9qx" alt="rural landscape" /></picture></figure><div class="ecl-container ecl-banner__info"><div class="ecl-banner__container" data-ecl-banner-container ><div class="ecl-banner__content"><div class="ecl-banner__title"><span class="ecl-banner__title-text">Study on funding for EU rural areas</span></div><div class="ecl-banner__cta"><a href="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-vision/funding-eu-rural-areas_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--cta ecl-link--icon ecl-banner__link-cta" original-title-description="Study on funding for EU rural areas" data-slide-number="2" ><span class="ecl-link__label">Read and Share!</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-icon--primary ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div></section></div><div class="ecl-carousel__slide" role="tabpanel" aria-label="slide 3 of 5" aria-roledescription="slide" ><section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--text-overlay ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=myTPEdkS" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=p7goUKyf" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=fLXyOLwb" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_extra_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=oyOQ7Q-v" media="(max-width: 1140px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=cAflqqo6" media="(min-width: 1140px)" ><img class="ecl-banner__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-10/RV%20banner%201920x480_v2.png.webp?h=33b05ede&itok=cAflqqo6" alt="RV website banner" /></picture></figure><div class="ecl-container ecl-banner__info"><div class="ecl-banner__container" data-ecl-banner-container ><div class="ecl-banner__content"><div class="ecl-banner__title"><span class="ecl-banner__title-text">Rural Pact community platform</span></div><div class="ecl-banner__cta"><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu" class="ecl-link ecl-link--cta ecl-link--icon ecl-banner__link-cta" original-title-description="Rural Pact community platform" data-slide-number="3" ><span class="ecl-link__label">Join & interact!</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-icon--primary ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div></section></div><div class="ecl-carousel__slide" role="tabpanel" aria-label="slide 4 of 5" aria-roledescription="slide" ><section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--text-overlay ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=JFZnJch_" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=Hz_vXRAS" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=UWNFVpgP" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_extra_large_4_1_banner/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=hB527izX" media="(max-width: 1140px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=4yrIhj4H" media="(min-width: 1140px)" ><img class="ecl-banner__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2022-12/Observatory%20banner.png.webp?itok=4yrIhj4H" alt="Banner of the rural observatory" /></picture></figure><div class="ecl-container ecl-banner__info"><div class="ecl-banner__container" data-ecl-banner-container ><div class="ecl-banner__content"><div class="ecl-banner__title"><span class="ecl-banner__title-text">Rural Observatory</span></div><div class="ecl-banner__cta"><a href="https://observatory.rural-vision.europa.eu" class="ecl-link ecl-link--cta ecl-link--icon ecl-banner__link-cta" original-title-description="Rural Observatory" data-slide-number="4" ><span class="ecl-link__label">Check it out!</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-icon--primary ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div></section></div><div class="ecl-carousel__slide" role="tabpanel" aria-label="slide 5 of 5" aria-roledescription="slide" ><section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--text-overlay ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=8q3z9gzh" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=X9HDRuFf" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=3SF7-nI6" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_extra_large_4_1_banner/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=yveQPhBx" media="(max-width: 1140px)" ><source srcset="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=1_lKgD5I" media="(min-width: 1140px)" ><img class="ecl-banner__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_full_width_banner_4_1/public/2024-10/RT-banner_96dpi_5.jpg.webp?h=9d613ef3&itok=1_lKgD5I" alt="RT Web banner" /></picture></figure><div class="ecl-container ecl-banner__info"><div class="ecl-banner__container" data-ecl-banner-container ><div class="ecl-banner__content"><div class="ecl-banner__title"><span class="ecl-banner__title-text">Rural toolkit</span></div><div class="ecl-banner__cta"><a href="https://funding.rural-vision.europa.eu/" class="ecl-link ecl-link--cta ecl-link--icon ecl-banner__link-cta" original-title-description="Rural toolkit" data-slide-number="5" ><span class="ecl-link__label">Discover the toolkit!</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-icon--primary ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div></section></div></div></div></section> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_5"></a> <figure class="ecl-blockquote" ><div class="ecl-blockquote__body"><blockquote class="ecl-blockquote__quote"><p class="ecl-blockquote__citation" lang="en">Rural areas are the fabric of our society and the heartbeat of our economy. They are a core part of our identity and our economic potential. We will cherish and preserve our rural areas and invest in their future.</p><footer class="ecl-blockquote__attribution"><cite class="ecl-blockquote__author">Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission</cite></footer></blockquote></div></figure> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_17"></a> <article class="ecl-featured-item" ><div class="ecl-featured-item__container ecl-featured-item__container--right"><div class="ecl-featured-item__item"><div class="ecl-featured-item__description"><div class="ecl"><p>A vibrant tapestry of life and landscapes, Europe鈥檚 rural areas provide us with our food, homes, jobs, and essential ecosystems services.</p><p>To ensure that rural areas can continue to play these essential roles, a European Commission communication sets out a <strong>long-term vision for the EU鈥檚 rural areas up to 2040</strong>. It identifies areas of action towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities. A <strong>Rural Pact</strong> and an <strong>EU Rural Action Plan</strong> with tangible flagships and new tools will help achieve the goals of this vision.</p><p>In December 2021, Vice-president 艩uica, Commissioner Wojciechowski and Commissioner Ferreira extended an open invitation to<strong> join the Rural Pact community</strong>. They encouraged all interested authorities and organisations to express their support for the vision鈥檚 <a href="/rural-vision/shared-goals_en" class="ecl-link"><strong>t</strong></a><a href="/rural-vision/shared-goals_en" class="ecl-link"><strong>en shared goals</strong></a> and take an active role in the Pact鈥檚 development. The proposal for the Pact was endorsed at the Rural Pact conference on 16 June 2022.</p><p>Stakeholders can get involved in the Pact by <a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu" class="ecl-link">joining the Rural Pact community</a> and commit to helping to deliver one or more of the objectives.</p><p>Lean more about the <a href="/rural-vision_en" class="ecl-link">rural vision</a> and how it was developed.</p></div></div></div><div class="ecl-featured-item__item"><div class="ecl-media-container ecl-featured-item__media_container" ><figure class="ecl-media-container__figure"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-media-container__picture" ><img class="ecl-media-container__media" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-12/vision%20for%20rural%20areas%20pic%20and%20title.jpg?itok=4fz31hQV" alt="Different rural areas and their inhabitants in picture" /></picture></figure></div></div></div></article> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_8"></a> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Action Plan</h2> <div class="ecl"><p>The action plan includes 30 actions implemented by 14 European commission departments working together in close cooperation. It is organised against the four pillars of the rural vision.</p><p>Learn more about the <a href="/action-plan_en" class="ecl-link">action plan</a>.</p></div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_13"></a> <ul class="ecl-list-illustration ecl-list-illustration--col-4" ><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-11/stronger.png?itok=SjmuvYMa" alt="Big house with trees on a yellow background" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p> <a href="/action-plan/stronger_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--secondary">Stronger</a></p></div></div></div></li><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-11/connected.png?itok=BPDQZ9cr" alt="Circle with connections" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p> <a href="/action-plan/connected_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--secondary">Connected</a></p></div></div></div></li><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-11/resilient.png?itok=uD7ujfM5" alt="Houses on a hill with trees on a green background" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p> <a href="/action-plan/resilient_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--secondary">Resilient</a></p></div></div></div></li><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-11/prosperous.png?itok=XFgpMg-o" alt="Leaves on top of a euro pinned and arrows" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p> <a href="/action-plan/prosperous_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--secondary">Prosperous</a></p></div></div></div></li></ul> </div> <div class="ewcms-page-section ecl-u-mb-2xl ecl-u-bg-primary-5"> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_9"></a> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Rural Pact</h2> <div class="ecl"><p>The Rural Pact is a framework for cooperation between national, regional and local governments, civil society organisations, businesses, academics and citizens to act towards the shared goals of the rural vision. It has three objectives:</p></div> </div> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_174"></a> <ul class="ecl-list-illustration ecl-list-illustration--col-3" ><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-12/Amplifying-rural-voices.png?itok=tctfrSer" alt="Icon of an hear listening to rural voices" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p>Amplifying <strong>rural voices and bring them higher on the political agenda</strong></p></div></div></div></li><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-12/Networking%2C-collaboration-%26-mutual-learning.png?itok=7Ulg5Q_-" alt="Icon of dots joining to illustrate networking, collaboration and mutual learning" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p><strong>Structuring and enabling networking</strong>, collaboration & mutual learning</p></div></div></div></li><li class="ecl-list-illustration__item" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-list-illustration__picture" ><img class="ecl-list-illustration__image" src="https://rural-vision.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_no_crop/public/2022-12/Encouraging-and-monitoring-action.png?itok=5V5j6sw5" alt="Icon of hands raised upwards" /></picture><div class="ecl-list-illustration__detail"><div class="ecl-list-illustration__description"><div class="ecl"><p>Encouraging and monitoring voluntary commitments to <strong>act for the vision</strong></p></div></div></div></li></ul> </div> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_175"></a> <div class="ecl"><p>Learn more about the <a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-pact" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone">Rural Pact</a>.</p></div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_204"></a> <div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__title ecl-col-12"><h2 class='ecl-u-type-heading-2'>Stay informed</h2></div></div><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-navigation-list__item" ><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/news" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Latest news</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 last-item-column last-item"><article class="ecl-navigation-list__item" ><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/events/upcoming" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Upcoming events</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"></div></div></article></div></div></div> </div> <div class="ewcms-page-section ecl-u-mb-2xl ecl-u-bg-primary-5"> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_201"></a> <div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__title ecl-col-12"><h2 class='ecl-u-type-heading-2'>Explore the rural vision tools</h2></div></div><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-10/RV-web-banner_1920x480_0.png?h=33b05ede&itok=-bUcio2s" alt="" /></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Rural Pact Community platform</a></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" 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