Rural Lab in Brussels: shaping the future of rural development
This important gathering brought together over 100 policymakers, rural stakeholders, and experts from across Europe to explore ways to strengthen institutional and governance frameworks for rural development, identify key challenges, and discuss future strategies.
On 28 November 2024, Brussels hosted the Policy Lab on Enhancing Policy Coordination for Vibrant Rural Areas, an event organized by the Rural Pact Support Office. This important gathering brought together over 100 policymakers, rural stakeholders, and experts from across Europe to explore ways to strengthen institutional and governance frameworks for rural development, identify key challenges, and discuss future strategies. As the world is undergoing demographic, digital, social, and economic transformations, marked by the global pandemic, financial and climate crises, rural areas face both unique challenges and opportunities. These regions, while often vulnerable to external shocks, hold significant potential to drive sustainable development through innovation, local engagement, and the integration of green and digital transitions.
The Rural Pact calls for a renewed focus on these areas, advocating for comprehensive policies that empower rural communities, enhance infrastructure, and foster resilience. The event provided a platform for exchange, collaboration and creation of new ideas among experts and policymakers from the European Commission DG REGIO, Rural Pact Support Office, OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Research Center for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy and rural stakeholders from across Europe.
Simona Spinola, representative of the European Association of the Via Francigena and the rurAllure projects
Simona Spinola, communication manager of the European Association of the Via Francigena ways, showcased how European projects, such as Horizon 2020 rurAllure, leverage rural cultural and natural heritage, create tourism products and strengthen connectivity of rural areas, making them vibrant and sustainable hubs, contributing to the overall prosperity of Europe.
rurAllure: “Promotion of rural museums and heritage sites in the vicinity of European pilgrimage routes” with a lifespan of 2021 – 2023 aimed to boost rural tourism by connecting rural areas to major European cultural routes. The project focused on engaging local communities, building networks across Europe, and promoting effective governance for sustainable management. After the end of the project, it transformed into the first European Cooperation Network along the Pilgrimage Routes with its featured digital platform and mobile application, connecting rural stakeholders, policymakers and walkers.
The Brussels event reaffirmed the essential role of collaborative projects like rurAllure in driving forward the agenda of rural sustainability. By leveraging technology, fostering networks, and empowering local communities, such initiatives pave the way for a more inclusive and balanced development model that bridges the gap between rural and urban areas.The Rural Pact calls for a renewed focus on these areas, advocating for comprehensive policies that empower rural communities, enhance infrastructure, and foster resilience. The event provided a platform for exchange, collaboration and creation of new ideas among experts and policymakers from the European Commission DG REGIO, Rural Pact Support Office, OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Research Center for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy and rural stakeholders from across Europe.
