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Making EU funding available is one thing. Making it accessible is another. This was one of the key messages emerging from the conference “How does EU funding work for my business in Tourism? Tools, platforms and training resources for tourism businesses of all sizes”, which brought together representatives of European institutions, tourism organisations and funding experts. Merill Rural Network, an initiative of SEED Projects, was invited to participate as a best-practice exa

Two days of meetings, exchanges and field visits brought Rural Pact members together in Finland for the latest Policy Lab “Strengthening a Diversified Rural Economy in the Post-2027 Period”. This marked the first Lab event held outside Brussels, offering participants the opportunity to discover Finland's rural landscape and learn from its local organisations and networks. A central topic throughout the event was the future National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), whic

As Malta prepares for the next EU programming period, early stakeholder engagement matters. Drawing on discussions with Malta’s Local Action Groups and experiences from across Europe, we explore why rural voices, LEADER and bottom-up development need a meaningful place in shaping Malta’s future NRPP.

Rural proofing helps ensure that the needs, opportunities and realities of rural areas are considered throughout policymaking. Rather than being a final check once a policy has been designed, it works best when integrated across the policy cycle – from agenda setting and policy design to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Recent Rural Pact and OECD exchanges have explored how rural proofing can be applied in practice. Drawing on the OECD Rural Principles Series, a

Since summer 2025, SEED, in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority, has been leading the development of a practical guide for rural tourism stakeholders in the Maltese islands. This initiative aims to support a more sustainable, culturally respectful, and economically beneficial approach to rural tourism across Malta and Gozo. Over the past months, we have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from academics to farmers. These conversations have helped us be

Access to mobility is essential for quality of life, social inclusion and economic opportunities in rural areas. It influences people’s ability to access jobs, education, healthcare, services and social activities, making it a key factor in rural attractiveness and the ability of people to remain in the places they call home. Why place-based approaches matter for rural mobility? Rural mobility challenges are often complex and place-specific. Low population density, long trave

What makes rural areas attractive for businesses, jobs and talent? As discussions on the post-2027 EU policy framework continue, rural competitiveness is becoming an increasingly important topic. Strengthening rural businesses, supporting innovation, attracting and retaining talent, and creating opportunities for economic diversification are all essential for resilient and thriving rural economies. The Rural Pact Community Pulse poll invites you to share your views on the fac

Rural innovation refers to new or improved solutions developed in rural areas to address local challenges and opportunities. It goes beyond technology, encompassing social, organisational and governance innovations. It matters because it helps rural communities respond to demographic, economic and environmental pressures, while building resilience and long-term prosperity. Innovation in rural areas often emerges from collaboration. Local actors, businesses, public authorities

Anyone can submit an initiative to the Rural Pact — farmers, businesses, NGOs, public authorities. Actions for the Rural Vision showcase your work at European level, inspire others, and keep rural areas relevant in policy debates. No minimum size, no financial obligation. Just become a Rural Pact Community member, fill in the form, and submit.

Connect on What Matters to Rural Areas. The Rural Pact Community Groups are online spaces where civil society, researchers, public authorities and citizens exchange experiences and explore solutions on topics including energy, tourism, culture, depopulation, youth, and Smart Villages. Discussions are in English but automatically translatable into any EU language. Join a group, share your work, and connect with stakeholders across Europe.

On March 27th, our project team met with key decision-makers from the Malta Tourism Authority at their offices to present the progress of the National Guide for Rural Tourism Stakeholders and share our overall approach. To move beyond a traditional presentation and make the discussion more tangible, the second part of the session was designed as an interactive role-playing exercise, where participants each took on a different role within the rural tourism ecosystem. This dyna

Join the Rural Pact Community. The Rural Pact Community platform connects organisations, institutions and citizens working to strengthen rural areas across Europe. As a member, you get priority access to events, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and the monthly Rural Pact newsletter. You can also join themed Community Groups — on rural energy, culture, repopulation and more — and submit voluntary actions for the Rural Vision. Membership is open to anyone working on rural issu

Take Action for Rural Malta. Anyone can submit an initiative to the Rural Pact — farmers, businesses, NGOs, public authorities. Actions for the Rural Vision showcase your work at European level, inspire others, and keep rural areas relevant in policy debates. No minimum size, no financial obligation. Just become a Rural Pact Community member, fill in the form, and submit.