On 28 January 2026, Miodrag Matavulj, Secretary General of PREPARE, participated in a public hearing on the Future of Rural Development 2028+ at the European Committee of the Regions.
The hearing was organised in the context of the preparation of an own-initiative opinion led by the Rapporteur Radim Srsen. The opinion examines the situation and challenges of rural territories across Europe and puts forward concrete proposals for financial measures to support rural development in the post-2028 period.
Key recommendations for post-2028 rural policy
A central recommendation of the opinion is the introduction of stronger and clearer financial commitments to rural areas within future EU policies. In particular, it proposes that:
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At least 30% of relevant EU funding should be allocated to a rural target, and
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At least 10% of this rural allocation should be dedicated to community-led initiatives, such as LEADER/CLLD, Smart Villages, and other place-based rural innovation approaches.
These proposals aim to strengthen territorial cohesion, ensure long-term investment in rural areas, and reinforce the role of local communities as active partners in shaping their development pathways.
Contributing rural perspectives
The public hearing provided an important opportunity for rural civil society and regional representatives to contribute perspectives and experiences to the Committee of the Regions’ work on future EU policy frameworks. PREPARE welcomed the inclusive approach of the hearing and the strong recognition of community-led and place-based development as key pillars of rural resilience and innovation.
🔎 More information about the opinion is available here:
https://cor.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions/cdr-4256-2025
