On 17 March 2026, PREPARE – Partnership for Rural Europe was represented by its Secretary General, Miodrag Matavulj, during an advocacy mission in Brussels as part of the European Rural Parliament (ERP) delegation. The delegation, which also included Piotr Sadłocha and Ben van Essen, engaged in discussions with senior representatives of the European Commission.
Meetings were held with Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, and with representatives of DG AGRI, including members of the Cabinet of Christophe Hansen.
During the meetings, the European Rural Parliament delegation presented key priorities for the future EU policy framework. These included making the “Right to Stay” a real and viable choice for rural people and youth, embedding rural proofing across EU and national policies, ensuring accessible and place-based funding that effectively reaches local communities, safeguarding LEADER/CLLD and community-led innovation approaches, and strengthening the Partnership Principle through structured dialogue with civil society.
The delegation also underlined the unique role of the European Rural Parliament as a pan-European platform representing rural voices. Bringing together 70 national organisations across 40 countries, the ERP facilitates exchange, cooperation, and the development of a shared rural policy agenda grounded in the experiences of rural communities.
The meeting with Executive Vice-President Fitto was constructive and forward-looking. Discussions focused on upcoming strategic initiatives, including the development of a “Right to Stay” strategy, for which a consultation process is expected to be launched in May 2026. Opportunities for cooperation between the European Commission and the ERP network were explored, including the potential establishment of a joint technical working group and active participation of ERP partners in the consultation process.
Particular attention was also given to the future of cohesion policy, including the need for greater flexibility, simplification, and improved balance between rural and urban funding. The importance of strengthening the role of regions, including rural regions, within national and European frameworks was emphasized.
In discussions with DG AGRI representatives, the delegation addressed rural development as a complex, multi-level challenge requiring coordinated action across sectors. Key topics included the future of LEADER, the implementation of rural targets, the role of SMEs, and the development of the forthcoming Rural Action Plan. The importance of maintaining strong mechanisms for stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange, such as the Rural Pact, was also highlighted.
On behalf of PREPARE, Miodrag Matavulj presented the E-CLIF (Community-Led Innovation) policy proposal, developed within the PREPARE network and endorsed by its Board. He emphasized that supporting innovation in rural areas should be understood not as a subsidy, but as a strategic investment in addressing wider societal and economic challenges. The proposal was positively received, and further exchanges with the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Fitto are expected.
The advocacy mission confirmed both the relevance of the ERP platform and the growing recognition within EU institutions of the need to strengthen rural perspectives in future policy development. It also opened avenues for continued cooperation with key stakeholders in the European Commission.
The dialogue will continue at the upcoming ERP follow-up meeting scheduled for 23 June 2026 in Brussels, where further discussion on the priorities and proposals presented will take place.
A detailed report of the mission, including additional insights and photographs, is available.
Report on meeting with Dg Regio and Dg Agri March 17
