The Programme is pleased to share information about an external event that may be of interest to stakeholders working in rural development, cooperation and evidence-based policymaking. The event is jointly organised by representatives of the 4 EU macro-regional strategies and the SMART Era project and will take place on 24 March 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria, under the motto “Bridging Vision and Action: Smart Rural Development That Leaves No Region Behind.” The event will explore how evidence-based approaches and smart solutions can strengthen rural areas across Europe.
What to Expect
Participants will engage in a rich programme, including:
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an insightful panel discussion on the future of (smart) rural development,
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inspiring good practices of evidence-based decision-making,
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interactive World Café sessions,
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practical insights from the SMART ERA project,
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and several networking opportunities.
The event aims to address what is needed to support successful smart rural development and how visionary ideas can be turned into concrete action.
Who Should Attend
The event is particularly relevant for:
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municipalities and local authorities,
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civil society organisations,
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universities and research bodies,
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national authorities,
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European institutions,
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macro-regional governance representatives.
Practical Information
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Language: English
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Participation: free of charge
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Registration: required (link will be published on the event website)
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Agenda: to be published in due course
Stakeholders are encouraged to visit the link above for updates and to share the information with interested colleagues and organisations.
We are pleased to highlight this opportunity and hope it contributes to further dialogue and cooperation on smart rural development.
