News – PREPARE

Living Lab Info Session Brings Rural Innovation to the Forefront

On Monday, May 5th, 2025, the PREPARE network, in collaboration with the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), hosted a successful Living Lab Info Session webinar. The event brought together stakeholders from across Europe to explore how Living Lab methodologies and Open Innovation can foster citizen participation and drive sustainable development in rural areas. The session, held via Zoom, attracted participants from PREPARE member organizations, the GRANULAR project’s Replication Labs, and...
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Empowering Communities to Shape the Future of Rural Europe

Published on the Rural Pact Platform, the new policy briefing titled “Empowering Communities to Take Action for the Rural Vision” offers a strategic roadmap to strengthen local engagement and enable rural areas to thrive. The EU’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas sets an ambitious path toward stronger, connected, resilient, and prosperous rural communities by 2040. Central to achieving this vision is empowering the people who live and work in these areas to take ownership of their future. The l...
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PREPARE Gathering 2025: Strategic Vision, Strong Partnerships, and New Leadership

Prague, March 26–27, 2025 The PREPARE Gathering 2025 began with two dynamic and productive days in Prague, bringing together members, partners, and rural development stakeholders from across Europe. The event marked a significant step forward for the network, combining strategic planning with key organizational developments and new partnerships. March 26: Strategic Planning and Communication Focus The first day of the Gathering was dedicated to the strategic direction of PREPARE, with a foc...
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New Declaration on the future of EU rural areas and rural development policy

The Declaration, adopted by the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) on 12 December 2024, sets out a strategic proposal for the post-2027 EU funds and policies to address the challenges faced by rural areas. The full text of the Declaration is available in all official EU languages and a short, one-page version is available in English. The Declaration calls for a strong shift in future policies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of EU’s rural areas in the long run, suggesting: ...
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Breaking the Cycle of Rural Decline: ESIRA Policy Event on April 29, 2025

Rural areas across Europe are facing persistent challenges, including population decline, economic stagnation, and limited access to essential services. These issues create a cycle of decline, making it difficult for communities to thrive. To address these pressing concerns, the European Social Innovation for Resilient and Inclusive Territories (ESIRA) project is organizing a high-level policy event titled "Breaking the Cycle of Rural Decline" on April 29, 2025. Event Details Date: April...
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The Future of Agriculture and Food in Europe: A New EU Vision

On February 19, 2025, the European Commission presented the Vision for Agriculture and Food, an ambitious plan for the future of the European agri-food sector. This vision aims to create an attractive, competitive, resilient, and fair agri-food system for present and future generations. Key Priorities of the Vision An Attractive Agri-Food Sector Supporting fair incomes for farmers and transparency in the food supply chain. Creating better conditions for young farmers and fost...
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Strengthening Rural North Macedonia: The Rural Development Network of North Macedonia

As part of our ongoing efforts to showcase key partners within the PREPARE Network, we are pleased to introduce the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia (RDN of NM). This organization plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable rural development, supporting local communities, and fostering regional cooperation. About the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia The Rural Development Network of North Macedonia (RDN of NM) is a national platform that brings together organizations...
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RURBANIVE launches Open Call to transform rural-urban connectivity

The RURBANIVE project, in which PREPARE (Partnerships for Rural Europe) is a key partner, is launching an Open Call to fund innovative solutions that enhance rural-urban connectivity. With a total budget of €600,000, this call provides an exciting opportunity for consortia of innovators, technology providers, and end-users to implement groundbreaking projects that strengthen synergies between rural and urban areas. About the RURBANIVE Open Call The Open Call is designed to support projects t...
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Join Us at the 1st EU Rural Innovation Forum (FUTURAL Project)

Spotlight on Day 1: Learning Journeys from Rural Areas The 1st EU Rural Innovation Forum is set to take place on May 14-15, 2025, in Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain, bringing together rural stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers to explore innovative solutions for rural development. Day 1: Learning Journeys from Rural Areas Date: May 14, 2025Time: 11:30 AMLocation: Zelaieta Zentroa, Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain The opening day will focus on Learning Journeys from Rural Areas, showcasing key insi...
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Join Our Next GRANULAR Webinar: Living Labs Driving Change in Rural Areas

Date: 18 MarchTime: 10:00 - 11:30 CETFormat: Online Rural areas play a crucial role in innovation and sustainable development. The upcoming GRANULAR webinar, Living Labs Driving Change in Rural Areas, will explore how Living Labs are leveraging data-driven tools and insights to enhance decision-making and policy development. Key Topics This interactive session will focus on: Presenting the progress, initial results, and lessons learned from GRANULAR Living Labs Sharing practical r...
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