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REPORT (2024/2105(INI))

On strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy

A-10-2025-0092

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Denis Nesci

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This resolution calls for strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy, addressing demographic, economic, and social challenges. It urges the Commission and Member States to integrate a rural dimension into EU policies, ensure adequate funding, and support rural development, services, infrastructure, and youth and women.

Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes a resolution calling for strengthened cohesion policy for rural areas, with specific measures on funding, services, and support for youth and women.

Key points

  1. Calls for a rural strategy for post-2027 and a rural proofing mechanism to assess policy impacts on rural areas.
  2. Urges maintaining cohesion policy funding at least at current levels and exploring additional indicators beyond GDP.
  3. Supports smart villages, local development, and simplified access to funds for rural areas.
  4. Demands improved services: healthcare, transport, digital connectivity, housing, and water management.
  5. Calls for measures to support young people, including a brain drain action plan and a European fund for youth entrepreneurship.
  6. Emphasizes support for women in rural areas, including access to employment, education, and protection from violence.
  7. Urges protection of family farming, reduction of regulatory burdens, and enforcement of standards on imported products.
  8. Highlights the role of tourism and linguistic minorities in rural development.

Who is affected

  • Rural communities, farmers, SMEs, young people, women, and local authorities in the EU.
  • Border regions, outermost regions, and areas affected by demographic decline.

Figures and deadlines

  • 137 million citizens live in rural areas, 83% of EU territory.
  • Rural income is 87.5% of urban average.
  • Urban areas receive three times more cohesion funding than rural.
  • EU could lose 6.4 million farms by 2040.
  • 12.6% of rural youth are NEETs.
  • EIB loan package of EUR 3 billion for agriculture.

Legal basis: Articles 39, 174, 175 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union