The European Commission has commenced online Public Consultation on the Roadmap for the Long Term Vision for Rural Areas. 

Consultation opened on 7 September and will end on 30 November.

The EU aims to create a debate on the future of rural areas and the role they have to play in our society.

This initiative will set out a vision for the future of rural areas by 2040 and gather views covering challenges such as:

• demographic change
• connectivity
• low income levels
• limited access to services.

The European Commission intends to work with rural stakeholders, local and regional authorities to develop a long-term vision which will support rural areas in achieving their full potential. The vision will address challenges from demographic change to connectivity, low income or limited access to services, and explore innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions including those triggered by climate and digital transformation or new developments arising from the current COVID-19 crisis, and offer reflections to feed future policies.

Please find a copy of the Roadmap document below:

Roadmap – Long term vision for rural areas – pdf