The European Commission presents measures to help farmers facing sharply rising fertiliser costs and to support Europe's food security, delivering on the recently announced Fertiliser Action Plan. In recent months, geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions have pushed prices of fertilisers up across Europe.
The 2026 edition focuses on the theme of ‘Gender equality’, highlighting projects that empower women to actively shape the future of farming and rural areas. These projects support women’s leadership, foster entrepreneurship, promote equal opportunities, and contribute to more inclusive rural communities. This year’s competition will continue to showcase the impact of CAP-funded projects in strengthening food security, enhancing environmental resilience, and supporting the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
Member States endorsed the Commission's proposal to mobilise €21.5 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in Bulgaria (BG), Estonia (EE) and Hungary (HU) affected by adverse weather events during the 2025 growing season. They will respectively receive €7,4 million (BG), €3,3 million (EE) and €10,8 million (HU) of exceptional support, which can be complemented by up to 200% of national funds.
The European Commission has presented a ‘Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture', setting out a clear roadmap to support young farmers and attract more people to farming. The strategy aims to double the share of young farmers in the EU by 2040, with a goal of young and new farmers constituting about 24% of European farmers.
The CAP framework offers multiple opportunities to support rural areas in creative ways beyond agricultural activities. It funds, among other things, investments in non-farming activities and infrastructures, cooperation activities, via LEADER notably, and the setting-up of new rural businesses.
The rural revitalisation platform has been launched last week during the Rural Pact Policy Action Lab event on depopulation. It stems from the EU Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas and its objective to support stronger rural areas by 2040.
The platform gathers information and resources for rural communities facing population loss, ageing and demographic decline. A wide range of stakeholders are invited to use the platform, from regional and local authorities to Local Action Groups, national CAP networks and any rural stakeholders working to revitalise their territory.
European Commission published a study on the contributions of the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) and the National Rural Networks (NRN) to the implementation of the EU’s rural development policy. These two networks led to stakeholders being more involved in the day-to-day implementation of rural development projects in the period 2014-22. This resulted, among other things, in better implementation more suited to local needs.
The 2023 EU AgriResearch Conference, taking place in Brussels from 31 May to 2 June 2023, will provide helpful guidance and reflection on the future priority research and innovation investments needed to support agriculture, forestry and rural areas.