The End of <scp>EU</scp> Rural Development Policy As We Know It?

Summary The European Commission's proposals for the EU funding period 2028–2034 promise paradigmatic change. A single National and Regional Partnership Fund would merge several currently autonomous funds, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The proposals cast particular doubt on the future of EU rural development policy in a narrow sense, meaning the instruments to support regional and local development in rural areas beyond the agricultural sector. At the moment located in the CAP's second pillar, rural development plays a marginal role in the proposals, which leave much discretion to the Member States. Previous funding periods suggest that they will put further emphasis on agricultural issues. This may signal the end of EU rural development policy as we currently know it, which would be at odds with the Commission's recent goals laid down in the Long‐Term Vision for Rural Areas. A comprehensive debate on the future of EU rural development policy is needed.