On May 22, 2024, AISFOR participated in the Policy Action Lab “Bringing the Rural Pact Closer to Citizens” in Brussels. This event, organized by the Rural Pact Support Office, aimed to support the Rural Pact's objectives, enhancing the vitality and sustainability of rural areas across Europe.

During the event, attendees delved into the core components of the Rural Pact, in particular:

The key ingredients are included in the Policy Brief “Making the Rural Pact happen in Member States” elaborated in November 2023 and were presented during the event by Alexia Rouby of DG AGRI. Following this Policy Action Lab, a new Policy Briefing will be developed in September 2024 on Bringing the Rural Pact closer to citizens, based also on the feedback of stakeholders during the event.

The Rural Action Plan identified four action priorities for rural contexts: stronger, connected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas. The Report on the implementation of the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas plans on consolidating achievements and implementing the Action Plan, consolidating the Rural Pact.

The event was an exceptional opportunity to network with local actors, organisations, and policy makers involved in the design and implementation of initiatives or policies having an impact on local rural communities. Participants engaged in group discussions to explore how the objectives can be realized in various local contexts and identify the added value the Rural Pact brings to these areas. The Policy Lab interactive laboratory sessions enabled participants to identify the most efficient ways of translating the Rural Pact into action in the local context. The session also explored policies, initiatives, and approaches that can support this process. Among the ideas that emerged from the group discussions were: local animation of rural communities by local agents in Local Action Groups, better coordination among existing stakeholders rather than creation of new structures, receiving a framework and guidance from member states on National Rural Pacts.

The comprehensive agenda of the event was beneficial for further discussion within the ENTRACK project that AISFOR is coordinating to empower local and regional authorities to design clean energy transition plans through capacity and knowledge building actions. Focusing on rural areas in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, the project will explore the opportunities offered by the Rural Pact and place great value on the experiences of other examples of local level expression of the Rural Pact presented during the event.