Europe’s rural future: Responding to rural priorities through integrated national and regional strategies and LEADER
November 3 @ 09:30 - November 4 @ 14:30
This High-level Rural Policy Forum on 3-4 November is organised by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission with the support of the Rural Pact Support Office. The deadline to Express Your Interest is the 17th of August 2026.
Objectives
- Explore how integrated national and regional policy approaches can support the development and attractiveness of rural areas in the long-term, and could contribute to the design of the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs);
- Exchange experiences and reflect on practical approaches for designing and implementing national and regional rural strategies that respond to the diverse needs, challenges and opportunities of rural areas;
- Provide an opportunity for LEADER/CLLD practitioners and rural development stakeholders to learn, network, and exchange experiences on the added value and impacts of LEADER/CLLD;
- Reflect collectively on the future of LEADER and multi-sectoral CLLD post 2027 and their key role in supporting rural development under the NRPPs.
Target audience
The target audience consists of policymakers at national and regional levels with responsibility for the development and implementation of national/regional strategies for the development of rural areas, as well as stakeholders representing rural communities and involved in LEADER/CLLD.
Stakeholders interested in participating will be able to apply through an online call for expressions of interest. A total of 200 stakeholders will be selected to attend the event. In case of oversubscription, the organisers will select participants based on their potential to contribute to the exchanges, their readiness to share or disseminate relevant examples, as well as the ability to communicate in English, and geographical balance.
The event will take place in Ireland and will be held in English with no interpretation.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for a limited number of accepted participants, in particular civil society organisations, local authorities and research institutions that need support to participate.
