Last week, PREPARE proudly participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the European Rural Parliament (ERP) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) at the EESC headquarters in Brussels. This MoU represents a significant step forward in formalising cooperation between rural civil society and EU institutions, with the shared aim of advancing sustainable rural development and ensuring the rural voice is heard in European policymaking processes.
PREPARE was represented at the signing by Miodrag Matavulj, Secretary General, who signed the MoU on behalf of the organisation. The MoU was jointly signed by the three pan-European networks steering the ERP: PREPARE, ELARD, and ERCA.
A Milestone for Rural Europe
This agreement marks a milestone in the work of the ERP by establishing a long-term, strategic framework for collaboration with the EESC—the EU’s official advisory body representing civil society. It reflects a mutual commitment to promoting inclusive and balanced territorial development, engaging rural stakeholders in EU policy, and responding to the needs and aspirations of rural communities across Europe.
Through this MoU:
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The ERP will ensure that the needs and perspectives of rural populations are systematically collected and communicated to EU institutions.
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The EESC will provide a platform for ERP voices in its debates and consultations, helping to disseminate rural civil society perspectives across its wide network.
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The partnership will enhance cooperation on key themes such as agriculture, CAP reform, climate change, rural-urban linkages, biodiversity, and just transition.
This agreement also underlines the importance of structured collaboration in line with the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA) and the Rural Pact.
Presenting the MoU and the Joint Opinion Paper
As part of the event, the MoU was formally presented during a dedicated one-hour session of the EESC’s NAT Section. In the same session, the ERP steering group also presented its Joint Opinion Paper on the Vision for Agriculture and Food and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The paper—prepared by PREPARE, ELARD, and ERCA—outlines recommendations aimed at shaping a more inclusive and forward-looking European agricultural and food policy. During the session, Miodrag Matavulj presented key recommendations on behalf of PREPARE, including a strong call to:
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Integrate open innovation into rural movements, and
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Support Community-Led Open Innovation at the local level as a way to enhance grassroots-driven transformation in rural communities.
Looking Ahead
This MoU lays the foundation for closer and more systematic cooperation between ERP and the EESC. It ensures not only the continuity of ERP’s advocacy work, but also positions ERP—and its founding networks—as a crucial link between rural civil society and the European policy arena.
PREPARE looks forward to working closely with the EESC and our ERP partners to bring rural perspectives to the forefront of EU decision-making, while continuing to support grassroots initiatives that contribute to resilient and thriving rural areas across Europe.
