Empowering rural futures: the right to stay in rural areas

This event is hybrid and in person – watch live on the link in the “details” section below. 

What makes a rural community a good place to live, work, run a business, start a family and grow old? What are the key strengths of rural areas? What can be done to help overcome the barriers facing people in rural areas e.g. transport, housing, digital connectivity, lack of services and isolation?

As Europe faces mounting demographic and territorial imbalances, the European Commission is advancing a transformative agenda to reaffirm the right to stay as a cornerstone of territorial cohesion and inclusive development. The upcoming EU Strategy on the “Right to Stay” will seek to ensure rural populations can envision viable futures in their communities, supported by robust infrastructure, services, and economic opportunities. Central to this vision is also the Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture, unveiled in October 2025, which aims to double the share of young farmers in the EU by 2040.

This conference will explore how these two strategic pillars—the right to stay and generational renewal—can be jointly leveraged to revitalize rural regions. It will highlight the need for multisectoral approaches. By aligning EU, national, and regional policies, the session will showcase pathways to empower rural youth, sustain farming traditions, and foster innovation in Europe’s countryside.