Slovakia Hosts the Third Edition of the European Rural Youth Summit (ERYS)

Between 26–30 August 2025, the village of Valča, Slovakia will host the third edition of the European Rural Youth Summit (ERYS), a flagship event dedicated to empowering young people from rural areas and youth workers across Europe. This year’s edition is expected to bring together 100 participants from 14 European countries, offering them a unique space to collaborate, exchange ideas, and co-create solutions for the future of rural youth. A Pan-European Effort After two successful ed...
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New Community Group on Energy Transition in Rural Areas Now Live on the Rural Pact Platform

The Rural Pact platform has just launched a new Community Group on Energy Transition in Rural Areas – a collaborative space designed for local and regional authorities, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholdersworking to ensure fair and sustainable energy planning across rural Europe. This initiative directly supports the EU’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas, bringing together actors who want to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and co-develop solutions for the energy challenges rural...
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Enhancing Policy Coordination for Vibrant Rural Areas

On 28 November 2024, the Rural Pact Support Office brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders in Brussels for a Policy Action Lab dedicated to “Enhancing policy coordination for vibrant rural areas.” The event focused on how to improve governance, streamline access to information, and strengthen the role of EU policy tools in shaping the future of rural communities. The Highlights Report, published on 4 February 2025, captures the main takeaways, discussions, and recommendations t...
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RURAL YOUTH VOICES FOR EUROPE – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOUTH

Every year, the United Nations International Day of Youth celebrates the role of young people in driving change and shaping the future. This year, the theme of Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future speaks directly to the experiences of rural youth, who are innovating, leading, and building resilient communities in every corner of Europe. The European Rural Youth Parliament (ERYP) is a platform where these voices can come together. In October 2025, rural youth delegates from across Europe...
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Rural Europe Must Not Be Left Behind: PREPARE Calls for Inclusive EU Funding in the Next MFF

4 August 2025 – As the European Commission shapes the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, the PREPARE Partnership urgently calls for rural communities to be meaningfully included in both policy and funding decisions. Since its inception, PREPARE (Partnership for Rural Europe) has worked to amplify the voices of rural citizens and strengthen networks that bridge local communities with EU institutions. But the new MFF proposal risks sidelining rural development, in contradic...
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European Commission Proposes €2 Trillion Budget with Strong Focus on Territorial Development

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission presented its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034. The proposal outlines a budget of nearly €2 trillion, equivalent to 1.26% of the EU’s Gross National Income (GNI). A key innovation in this budget is the introduction of National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), giving Member States a more prominent role in shaping and implementing EU investment priorities. A Unified Approach to EU Funds The NRPP...
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Rural Voices Must Not Be Left Behind

A Statement from the PREPARE Network on the EU's Proposed MFF 2028–203418 July 2025 The PREPARE Network expresses its concern over the direction outlined by the European Commission for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The European Commission invited all Europeans to share their views on the next EU budget and the policies it should support, through a series of public consultations open until 6 May 2025. However, upon reviewing the new MFF proposal, it has become clear ...
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PREPARE Signs Strategic MoU with the European Economic and Social Committee to Strengthen Rural Voice in EU Policy

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 w...
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Rural Europe at a Turning Point – What the Next EU Budget Must Deliver

Europe’s countryside matters. One-third of EU citizens live in rural regions that feed the continent, steward biodiversity and host most of its renewable-energy sites. Yet out-migration, ageing populations, patchy services and slow digital uptake threaten their future. A new Joint Opinion Paper from ERCA, PREPARE and ELARD argues that the 2028-34 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must move rural development from the margins to the mainstream. The paper urges decision-makers to: Mak...
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Empowering Youth for a Greener Future: How Astronomy, Ecology, and Entrepreneurship Shape Sustainable Tourism Careers

In a rapidly changing world, sustainable tourism is emerging as a powerful tool to protect nature, empower communities, and spark economic innovation. The Starlight project is at the forefront of this movement—offering young people a unique opportunity to explore careers that blend astronomy, ecology, and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on training and interdisciplinary learning, Starlight equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to design tourism experiences that celebrate r...
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