RPCG Declaration -Turning Words into Action – or Just Another Rural Wishlist that Will Be Left Behind?
28 May 2025
On 28 May 2025, stakeholders from across Europe gathered for an engaging session focused on the Rural Pact Coordination Group (RPCG) Declaration. Hosted by Edina Ocsko, Vice-Chair of the RPCG and Coordinator of the Smart Village Network, the session explored the Declaration’s potential to shape rural policy beyond 2027. The event began with a presentation of the Declaration’s key messages, highlighting its importance for community-led innovation such as Smart Villages. Participants also heard insights from Hannes Lorenzen and Ben van Essen, examined practical ways the Declaration could influence policy, and engaged in a dynamic mapping exercise to identify their collective influence. The second half of the session featured a structured discussion on how to move from words to action, and ensure the Declaration doesn’t remain just another wishlist.
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AGENDA
10:00 – 10:20 Presentation on the Main Statements of the RPCG Declaration
Their relevance and challenges Speaker: Edina Ocsko (Vice-Chair of the Rural Pact Coordination Group)
10:20 – 10:45 Concrete Examples of Policy Influence
How the RPCG Declaration is being or could be used to influence policy. Expert insights from Hannes Lorenzen (Forum Synergies/ ARC2020) and Ben van Essen (ERCA)
10:45 – 11:00 Interactive Exercise
Mapping the ‘joint power’ of representatives
11:00 – 12:00 Structured Discussion and Reflection
On the presentations and survey outcomes regarding the use and usefulness of the RPCG Declaration