Next week, the Commission will close its consultation on its Generational Reneval in Agriculture.
At ELARD, here’s the thoughts we’ve contributed with:
For this strategy to deliver sustainable results, the EC must adopt a broader, territorial approach: one that recognises that generational renewal in agriculture cannot succeed without generational renewal in rural areas as a whole.
While targeted support for young farmers remains essential, farming cannot exist without functional, vibrant rural communities. A young farmer also needs access to a doctor, a vet, a teacher for their children, and digital infrastructure to innovate. The absence of these services undermines the attractiveness of rural areas—not only for farmers, but for all rural youth.
A truly effective strategy must therefore embrace a multisectoral and multistakeholder approach, engaging local communities and supporting diverse rural professions and services. Without this, we risk reinforcing the cycle of rural depopulation, land abandonment, and intergenerational disengagement from the agricultural sector.
Our key recommendations for a successful generational renewal strategy:
Acknowledge the territorial dimension of generational renewal
The long-term viability of agriculture depends not only on the next generation of farmers, but on the wider ecosystem that sustains rural life. Healthcare, education, cultural activities, mobility, housing, and access to broadband are all critical determinants for young people deciding whether to remain in or return to rural areas. The strategy must align with the ambitions of the LTVRA and reinforce the “right to stay” as a concrete policy objective.
Support rural youth in all their diversity
Youth in rural areas must be seen as agents of change, not only as future farmers. Many wish to engage in entrepreneurship, social innovation, digital services, creative sectors or sustainability-related professions. Programmes such as LEADER/CLLD have shown that community-led, bottom-up approaches can effectively support youth-led projects and participatory governance. The new strategy should promote such inclusive instruments and encourage youth involvement in LAGs. Likewise, youth participation in rural policymaking must be reinforced. Rural Youth Dialogues, rural youth councils, and youth-representative roles in LAGs or monitoring committees can ensure policies respond to young people’s aspirations. The strategy should propose concrete mechanisms to institutionalise rural youth engagement across Member States.
Foster coordination across EU instruments
Generational renewal is not the responsibility of the CAP alone. Cohesion Policy, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, ESF+, and InvestEU must be mobilised in synergy. Cross-sectoral tools such as multi-fund CLLD can offer integrated solutions tailored to local needs. Simplifying administrative burdens and harmonising rules across funds are critical to making this approach work on the ground.
Secure continuity and visibility for LEADER/CLLD
LEADER has a proven track record of creating local jobs, increasing social capital, and improving quality of life in rural territories. Its potential to support youth retention and rural resilience should be explicitly recognised in the generational renewal strategy. Ensuring stronger resourcing, stability, and accessibility for LEADER post-2027 is a precondition for territorial cohesion and long-term sustainability in rural areas.
The renewal of generations in farming is not only a matter of succession—it is about creating conditions in which young people can and want to live and work in rural territories. If we focus solely on agriculture without addressing the broader rural context, we will fail to reverse rural decline and youth outmigration. A multisectoral, place-based, and youth-driven approach is essential to ensure that farming remains viable—and rural areas remain liveable—for future generations.