Europe’s rural communities have spoken with one clear voice: we hold the keys to the solutions Europe needs.
On 23rd October 2025, at the closing of the 6th European Rural Parliament (ERP) in Inverurie, over 400 delegates representing thousands of rural organisations from across Europe adopted the 2025 Declaration of Inverurie, a bold, forward-looking statement of confidence, vision and demand for genuine partnership.
Rather than asking for help, rural communities now call on European, national and regional authorities to remove the obstacles that slow down the change already happening on the ground. The message from Inverurie is simple: we do not need saving, we need space to act.
“We come with solutions, not with problems,” says he declaration. “We are already delivering what Europe needs: from social cohesion and innovation to food and climate security. What we ask is that institutions stop putting sticks in the wheels of community action.”
The Declaration reaffirms that Europe’s prosperity, sustainability and democracy depend on vibrant rural communities. It highlights the essential role of local people and community-led initiatives in building resilient, inclusive and innovative territories.
Among its key commitments, rural communities pledge to:
- Safeguard traditions while driving innovation for a fairer, greener Europe;
- Work across borders to shape community-driven solutions;
- Strengthen social enterprises and local economies that create value and jobs;
- Empower people with the skills needed for digital and green transitions; and
- Deepen solidarity between villages, regions and nations.
The Inverurie Declaration also issues a direct appeal to policymakers:
- Apply rural proofing systematically to all policies and regulations;
- Guarantee accessible, flexible and long-term funding that reaches communities;
- Ring-fence and expand programmes like LEADER/CLLD and Smart Villages in future EU policy frameworks; and
- Ensure rural voices are embedded at every stage of policymaking, from consultation to decision and evaluation.
- This is not a call for new bureaucracy, but for freedom to act, resources to enable, and trust to lead.
The 2025 Declaration of Inverurie reminds decision-makers that the transformation Europe seeks, towards sustainability, solidarity, and shared prosperity, is already happening in its rural regions. From digital innovation in remote villages to local food systems, renewable energy communities, and social enterprises, rural Europe is not lagging behind, but rather leading the way.
As the Declaration concludes:
“We do not ask for help; we ask for support in partnership. The time to act is now.”
More information: https://europeanruralparliament.com
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