Feedback from the Policy Action Lab – Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies

This Policy Action Lab (see below) took place successfully on 5 November 2025 in Brussels. We are pleased to post the initial feedback provided by Āris Ādlers who participated in this event. 

Dear LDnet members. Greetings from Brussels.

The European Commission presented its vision for the post-2027 EU budget (MFF) and outlined how rural areas will be integrated more strategically across all EU policies through the new National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans. These plans are designed to bring together reforms, investments and cooperation under a single, coherent framework that links European, national and regional priorities.

At the heart of the proposal is the idea of “One Plan” — a simplified, flexible, and coordinated system applying one set of rules and programming principles. Each Member State will prepare plans adapted to its own administrative structure, with chapters tailored to national and regional needs. The approach encourages stronger partnerships among regional and local authorities, economic and social partners, civil society, youth organisations, research institutions, and others.

The territorial dimension is central. The NRP Plans aim to reduce economic, social and territorial disparities, concentrating resources on less developed and transition regions, as well as on rural, island, border, northern and industrial transition areas. The new framework also promotes the use of territorial and local cooperation tools such as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI), Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) and LEADER, extending beyond agriculture to support broader community and regional growth.

– A comprehensive toolbox of development instruments is foreseen:

– LEADER and Smart Villages as models for community-led action;

– Integrated territorial and urban strategies that link rural and urban areas;

– Local Action Groups (LAGs) driving subregional implementation;

– Mandatory support for LEADER across Member States with simplified funding rules.

The NRP framework will ensure strategic planning, partnership governance, and outcome tracking — helping Member States to address challenges, concentrate resources, deploy tools efficiently, and enhance synergies between sectors and funds.

Looking forward, several key recommendations were highlighted:

– Establish national and regional Rural Pacts mirroring the EU Rural Pact;

– Embed rural proofing in all EU and national policymaking;

– Guarantee long-term, multi-annual support for rural development and CLLD beyond the CAP;

– Promote multi-level and cross-sector cooperation;

– Empower rural communities and youth as co-creators of solutions;

– Invest in people and inclusion by expanding rural incubators and innovation spaces.

In essence, the post-2027 approach represents a shift from fragmented rural policy toward a unified, partnership-based and territorially balanced framework, ensuring that rural areas are fully integrated into Europe’s future development model.

Āris Ādlers

Policy Action Lab: Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies

The Policy Action Lab, Rural areas and communities in the post-2027 EU budget and policies, is organised by the Rural Pact Support Office and will take place on 5 November 2025 in Brussels (Pullman Brussels Centre Midi).

It will offer an opportunity to discuss with the Rural Pact Community the recent European Commission proposals for the 2028-2034 EU budget and policies, their implications for rural communities and ways to make rural voices heard in the policy debate.

The draft agenda and further information are available HERE.