Rural Development
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Negotiations on future policy options at the EU level are ongoing, setting the basic framework for future rural development policy. In this op-ed, Edina Ocsko of Smart Village Network Services / E40, who is Vice-Chair [...] -
How can French Regional Nature Parks bring to life sustainable land planning concepts? Geoparcs that protect and promote natural wonders is one avenue, and the same reigns true for National Parks. More on these islands [...] -
Exploring regional nature parks is a way to continue a cross-analysis of the trajectories of France and Germany, towards the construction of more resilient rural territories. Two economic sectors – eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture – [...] -
In June 2023, we took advantage of the first fine summer days to visit a project run by the Réseau Meuse-Rhin-Moselle (RMRM), one of our close partners. Comprising around ten member associations, the RMRM aims [...] -
In phase 2 of the Rural Resilience project we pledged to explore new territories. Over the summer, we set out in search of experiments in resilience in the four corners of France. Marie-Lise Breure-Montagne reports. [...] -
Michael Dower has sadly passed away. Co-founder of the European AgriCultural Convention (EAC), which later became ARC2020, Michael stood staunchly for rural Europe, democracy, inclusion, and taking action now. His retirement marked the beginning of [...] -
In Loire-Atlantique, in western France, ARC2020 and Nos Campagnes en Resilience hosted a rural gathering. The weekend created space for farmers, rural actors, regional and European organisations and policymakers to share, reflect and prepare action [...] -
What’s next for our countrysides? Before we even begin to consider re-scaling the rural, we must slow down and work in deep collaboration and coproduction – with all. This requires deep listening to the voices [...] -
ARC2020’s Louise Kelleher and Matteo Metta were among the speakers at “AlterRurality 6: Re-Scaling the Rural”, a conference held last month in a small Danish coastal village. The interdisciplinary conference aimed to initiate a critical [...] -
What happens when a farm invites the wider community to collectively tease out its future? In September ARC2020 visited Brittany to find out. Seed savers, farm workers and chefs sat down with elected officials and [...] -
This week the second Balkan Rural Parliament took place in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Organised by the Balkan Rural Development Network, the Balkan Rural Parliament gives a voice to rural communities in the making of rural [...] -
Here Hannes Lorenzen gives his insights into the Commission’s current rural vision process, what led to it, what other processes are driven more by civil society, and how we can all work with the European [...] -
Many events have moved online, which has advantage and disadvantages. It can be easier to attend, but then, in rural areas, broadband coverage can be poor. In a way, this conundrum acts as a soft [...] -
Help ARC2020 build a vision and strategy for rural Europe, by joining the civil society participation at a high level webconference on 7th July. […] -
If remote rural communities want to be part of the conversations that will shape their futures, the ability to connect with other projects and stakeholders is a crucial skill. For one island community, the coronavirus [...] -
What lies behind the transformational changes in marginal rural areas? What are the social, economic and cultural drivers of “Smart Villages”, which have emerged as another facet of the EU’s support for community-led development? Lauren [...] -
Rural places are peopled places – and people have and need cultural life. Culture can include heritage and the arts, the activities we enjoy, the food we eat, and the language we speak. Since these [...] -
Repositioning rural areas in response to problems of decline means overcoming complex, interconnected challenges. The RURALIZATION project is exploring innovative ways to overcome issues of rural regeneration and support generational renewal. […] -
The momentum behind Smart Villages continues to grow – both within EU and national policy circles and on the ground among rural communities. The challenge is to translate this momentum into a policy framework that [...] -
Many rural areas suffer depopulation, while there is a need for newcomers to a country to be accommodated and given purposeful activities. Some lessons from a thoughtful approach to better rural integration of immigrants in [...] -
After ignoring the warnings of scientists for years, it seems society is finally starting to wake up to the fact that a deep transition to a low carbon society is necessary. What will this mean [...] -
The food security of the British population and its following generations cannot be simplified into a policy founded on the erroneous principle that the global market will always provide. It is vital for the food [...] -
An exciting opportunity for young people to get involved with interesting, innovative sustainable rural development initiatives around Europe has come up. […] -
After a summer break, we return to our re:CAP series to talk young and new farmers. We speak to Christian Rehmer (BUND – Friends of the Earth Germany), Aurélie Catallo (Pour Une Autre PAC), Ulrich Jaspers (AbL [...] -
What do the most effective rural development policies look like? What role might risk management play in that? We speak to Christian Rehmer (BUND, Friends of the Earth Germany), Aurélie Catallo (Pour Une Autre PAC), Ulrich Jaspers, [...] -
Through the co-operative, Values-Based Supply Chain model, family farms can increase revenue, resulting in enhanced viability, sustainability and resilience. This in turn can help to preserve the pivotal contribution of family farms to rural economy, [...] -
Over the last few years, Ukraine went through dramatic political, socio-economic and cultural changes. Dr. Natalia Mamonova investigates how the rising Ukrainian national identity and patriotic sentiments during the geopolitical conflict with Russia changed the [...] -
The Yorkshire Dales is an upland area of Yorkshire, Northern England. Agriculture has been an integral part of the area’s culture and economy for thousands of years. A hill farm agricultural system is upheld here, [...] -
ARC2020’s Communications Director spend a week on the road in rural Greece recently, with force of nature Pavlos Georgiadis – farmer, food producer, film maker, campaigner, social innovator and community manager with the exciting new [...] -
In the build up to the Forum Synergies European Rural Sustainability Gathering 17-20th May, we continue our focus on grassroots initiatives in Greece. Here, we talk to Panagiotis Sainatoudis and Vasso Kanellopoulou. The chat happened [...] -
This year Forum Synergies’ European Rural Sustainability Gathering will take place in Karditsa (region of Thessaly, Greece), from 17-21 May 2017. […] -
Hannes Lorenzen spoke with Vassileios Bellis ahead of the European Rural Sustainability Gathering in Thessaly, Greece 17-21st May 2017. Bellis is General Director of the Development Agency of Karditsa. […] -
Agriculture is everybody’s business. The way land is used and distributed is key to improving the quality of local food production, not to mention ecological forms of farming and livelier rural areas. […] -
“If you leave people in insecurity and fear, they will follow populists and nationalists of all kind.” Interview with Boban Ilic, Secretary General of the Western Balkan Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development of [...] -
In our #AfterCAP debate opener, rural sociologist Jan Douwe van der Ploeg outlines his vision for what he calls integrated rural development. […] -
A highlight of Cork2 was the sobering presentation of Janez Potočnik of The Rural Investment Support for Europe (RISE) Foundation. he is also Co-Chair of UN International Resource Panel, Former European Commissioner for Environment, and [...] -
Despite a positive sounding declaration at Cork 2.0, Rural Development risks serious funding cuts and de-prioritisation post 2020. This is a key message emerging – albeit obliquely – from Cork 2.0, the EU Commission Rural [...] -
This November sees the European Rural Parliament (ERP) 2015 gathering, to be held in the beautiful small town of Schärding in Upper Austria. This three-day event, with one day of study tours in regions surrounding [...] -
Hidden costs and extra bureaucracies in a new law have made it more difficult for farmers to sell their own produce, as Eco Ruralis explain. […] -
Eco Ruralis Bring us the Shocking Story of Forest Grabbing in Romania, where the vast majority of Europe’s Vital Old Growth Forests are. Fact Sheets, Leaked Letters and an Undercover Video Expose. #Forestgrab […] -
Ramona Duminicioiu unpacks the initiatives and the issues around local food and government inaction […] -
A report on the key ideas and outcomes from this civil society gathering held in Brussels 10-11th February […] -
Simplification should work for peasant farmers and not to generate fund-grabbing by the corporate sector, as Maria Rodriguez Beperet explains. […] -
Traditional orchards across the Carpathian Basin are restoring agrobiodiversity and rural livelihoods. Stella Beghini of Eco Ruralis reports. […] -
In Spain a pilot project gives prominence to the low-intensity farming production systems which are at risk of being abandoned. […] -
LINC events showcase not just the best of Rural Europe but, aptly, the commitment of the LEADER network to organising itself. […] -
In part II of our report on organic farming in Bulgaria, the ‘Organic Bulgaria’-Project takes a closer look at the role of the State and the EU subsidies. […] -
Organic farming in Bulgaria is a new phenomenon within the national policy and agri-food industry. […] -
Ireland’s Rural Development plan has been adopted by EU Commission. So what’s in it? […] -
How will the Principality spend its largest RDP payout ever? Peter Crosskey investigates. […]
Debate: #AfterCAP
Agriculture, food and the rural seem to have been placed at the back of the queue: massive cuts in the agriculture and rural administration of the Commission; a mere communication by Commissioner Hogan rather than the usual mid-term review; talk of a move of CAP money to external security and migration policy. What’s next? We are looking forward to hear your opinion! Join the ARC2020 #AfterCAP Debate.
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