Rural areas are central to Europe’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Covering nearly 80% of the EU’s territory and hosting vast natural resources, rural regions hold enormous potential for climate mitigation and adaptation. Yet, they remain...
Author: Serafin Pazos-Vidal (AEIDL) The European Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework will shape rural development for the next decade. The European Commission tabled ambitious proposals last...
Farmland ownership in Europe is shifting from family farms toward corporate and group holdings, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. While company-owned farms often improve economic performance, this trend raises concerns about food security, rural livelihoods,...
Author: Gundi Knies, Thünen-Institute of Rural Studies Wellbeing, fairness, and resilience are central goals of the European Commission’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA), yet the drivers of wellbeing remain complex and...
Authors: Ing. Jan Pavlík, PhD. (CZU), Ing. Tereza Burešová (CZU) Rural areas can be attractive places to live, but how much do housing prices influence their attractiveness? Research emerging from GRANULAR project, led by the Czech University of Life Sciences...
Author: Luise Koeppen (James Hutton Institute) On 21 to 23 October 21-23, GRANULAR partners from the James Hutton Institute welcomed participants from across Europe to Aberdeenshire for a three-day cross-visit exploring rural diversity, sustainability, and innovation....
Earlier this summer, the heart of European rural innovation beat strongly at the 64th European Regional Science Association (ERSA) Congress in Athens. GRANULAR partners hosted a special session on “Taking into Account Diversity to Shape just Rural Futures: Novel...
Author: Giulia Martino (Ecorys) Can rural proofing really help policymakers design better, fairer policies for rural areas? That’s what eight Multi-Actor Labs across Europe set out to explore as part of the GRANULAR project. From Finland to Greece, and...
Authors: Debora Pricila Birgier & Carlos Tapia (Nordregio) In many EU Member States, rural women face persistent structural disadvantages in labour markets. This has significant implications – not just for gender equality, but for the long-term resilience of...
Author: Yuval Damari (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier) As Europe advances towards its climate neutrality goals, rural areas play a crucial role in this transformation. However, most existing tools for monitoring climate neutrality are primarily...
