We, around 350 participants from 39 European countries, met during the 5th European Rural Parliament at Kielce, Poland, from 12 to 15 September 2022, gathering rural people, representatives of civil society organisations, researchers, entrepreneurs, national governments and European Union institutions.
We fully acknowledge the urgency of the current situation and the major challenges that Europe is currently facing – war, inflation, energy crises, climate and biodiversity, droughts and fires, food and security, lack of solidarity, changes created by pandemic, divided societies and other political, economic, environmental and social changes leaving impact on our communities.
Drawing on the National Rural Parliaments and other events organised by our European and national partners, the discussions in Kielce resulted in a call upon citizens and policymakers at all levels to mobilise resources and people, and ensure policies and programmes are coherent and rural–proofed. We are ready to take responsibility and call upon fellow citizens and policymakers to assist in the creation of sustainable rural communities.
5_ERP_Declaration