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

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