It is our collective responsibility to ensure the vitality of rural areas: strengthening rural value chains and local production networks; supporting young farmers and women in agriculture; preserving and protecting our natural resources; and boosting rural innovation and digitisation.
The future common agricultural policy (CAP) will play a fundamental role in addressing these issues by helping Member States prioritise and support vibrant rural life and the development of a modern, sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector.
Rural life and farmers – the heart of European society
The future CAP aims to develop, support and invest in our rural communities. It seeks to address societal demands while continuing to provide vital, quality public goods. Three of the nine future CAP objectives focus on:
The future CAP and vibrant rural areas
Many rural areas in the EU suffer from structural problems, such as a lack of attractive employment opportunities, skill shortages, under-investment in connectivity and basic services, and significant youth drain. The future CAP will help Member States to address these challenges and develop their non-urban environments.
