Commissioner Christophe Hansen opened the Rural Pact conference with a focus on strengthening rural communities through integrated policy mechanisms. He highlighted the growth of the Rural Pact community since 2021 and stressed the intrinsic link between agriculture and vibrant rural areas, noting that one fourth of the EU population lives in these regions.
Rural areas, Hansen emphasized, are critical not just for agriculture but for burgeoning sectors such as robotics, semi-conductors, and the bioeconomy. Notably, 78% of the EU's untapped renewable energy potential lies in rural regions, underpinning a push for green energy investments that benefit local communities while preserving land.
Addressing infrastructure and connectivity deficits, the Commissioner pointed out that despite improvements, broadband speed disparities between urban and rural areas have worsened. To combat this, he called for more precise targeting of existing funds to support telework and attract new rural inhabitants.
On policy, Hansen reaffirmed retention of all current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) instruments in the 2028-2034 framework, dispelling misconceptions about funding limits. Member States are mandated to continue supporting investments, rural start-ups, and community-led projects like LEADER, integrating these under National and Regional Partnership Plans. These plans will focus on reducing territorial disparities and improving rural living conditions with enforced stakeholder engagement and performance monitoring.
Stakeholders such as rural businesses and start-ups stand to benefit from funding and innovation incentives, while national authorities gain enhanced oversight and flexibility. Conversely, rural communities bear the challenge of ensuring their voices are effectively represented in planning processes. The approach balances support to agriculture with regional cohesion objectives, presenting both opportunities and demands for involved parties.
Ultimately, Hansen's speech signals a strategic shift towards holistic, integrated rural development within the EU, aiming to harness economic, environmental, and social dimensions cohesively.