The members of the NAT Comission have adopted the opinion on “Future of Rural Development 2028+” by rapporteur Radim Sršeň (CZ/EPP), calling for rural development to become a core strategic objective of cohesion policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Building on the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA) and the Rural Pact, the opinion urges the EU to confront widening territorial imbalances, demographic decline, and unequal access to services. It warns that political recognition of rural challenges and the “right to stay” has grown—but still lacks a coherent, visible and adequately resourced policy architecture in the next MFF.
From sectoral support to territorial resilience
The rapporteur stressed that while agriculture and rural territories are intrinsically linked, rural development goes far beyond agriculture. It calls for a shift from predominantly sectoral logic toward holistic, integrated, and place-based territorial investment—covering services, connectivity, entrepreneurship, social inclusion, innovation, and functional urban–rural linkages.
Radim Sršeň (CZ/EPP), who serves as Mayor of Dolní Studénky said:
“Rural development is crucial for the next programming period… We have to create opportunities, we have to create quality of life, and we need to invest — not just in agriculture, but also beyond it… We should strengthen urban–rural linkages and avoid dividing the budget into isolated slices.”
He underlined that rural needs vary dramatically across Europe—from islands and mountain regions to outermost areas—requiring solutions tailored to local realities rather than one-size-fits-all programming.
Strong communities are infrastructure too
Intervening in the debate, Daniela Cîmpean (RO/EPP), President of Sibiu County Council, highlighted that effective rural policy after 2028 depends on community capacity—people, skills and local services—especially in remote and sparsely populated territories : “Rural development after 2028 doesn’t only mean agriculture and infrastructure… these things cannot be achieved without strong local communities that have the proper capacities and involved personnel.”
Her intervention called for explicit recognition of volunteering, community services, and place-based solutions, and for deeper engagement of young people in local life to secure generational renewal and prevent outmigration.
LEADER: governance, not a “nice-to-have”
From an island perspective, Evangelos Fragkakis (EL/EPP), Mayor of Chalki, warned that subsidiarity and multi-level governance cannot be credible without a stronger role for LEADER—particularly in small islands and mountainous areas where centralised approaches routinely miss local needs: “LEADER is not a financial instrument; it’s a governance… philosophy… This is why after 2030, LEADER cannot remain optional.”
He argued that when LEADER is effectively controlled at national level it risks being diluted, driving concentration of power and re-nationalisation—undermining subsidiarity in practice. The intervention called for LEADER to become a mandatory pillar for cohesion and rural development after 2030, backed by minimum financing and clear rules.
The opinion also reinforces the need for rural-proofing—systematically reviewing EU and national policies through a rural lens to ensure they work for rural citizens and businesses. This includes assessing impacts on employment, equality, social well-being, development prospects, and environmental quality. It calls for strengthened implementation capacity at EU, national, regional and local levels, including a dedicated capacity-building plan embedded in the NRPP model.
Rural development is crucial for the next programming period… We have to create opportunities, we have to create quality of life, and we need to invest — not just in agriculture, but also beyond it… We should strengthen urban–rural linkages and avoid dividing the budget into isolated slices. Concluded Radim Sršeň.