Long-term vision for rural areas: Vice-President Šuica and Commissioner Wojciechowski open ‘Rural Vision Week’

Today is the first day of Rural Vision Week, dedicated to imagining the future of Europe’s rural areas. Organised by the European Network of Rural Development, in close co-operation with the European Commission, the event will explore stakeholders’ aspirations for rural areas, the various challenges and opportunities rural areas face today and expect in the future. The event includes workshops on a fair and green transition, strengthening urban-rural partnerships, the role of farming, food production and digital innovations in rural areas, and finding smart solutions to demographic change.  Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica and Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, will participate in the opening session alongside the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira will participate in the high-level closing plenary on Friday 26 March. This event and its outcomes will feed into the Commission’s long-term vision for rural areas Communication to be published mid-2021. The Communication will draw attention to the specific needs of rural areas and commit to new actions to mobilise European, national, regional and local authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural areas and their residents. The results of the public consultation on the vision are available here. More information on the agenda here.