EU rural areas are not innovation deserts - they just innovate differently. While home to roughly a third of Europe's population and businesses, these territories are rarely perceived as places where startups, entrepreneurs and innovative firms can thrive. New evidence proves otherwise.
The European Startup Village Forum examines the drivers and trends of rural innovation and entrepreneurship, facilitating the exchange of knowledge on how to promote it.
In this final 2026 edition, the Forum will explore the distinctive features of rural innovation, with a focus on developing place-based policies that fuel it, on strengthening competitiveness, and on adopting rapidly evolving innovations.
Join us as we look ahead to the next stage of rural innovation, and discuss how local, regional, and EU initiatives can better support it - ensuring that rural areas remain attractive, vibrant, and vital to European prosperity.
- rural development
- Thursday 15 October 2026, 10:00 - 18:15 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
Programme
- 15 Oct 2026, 09:00 - 10:00 (CEST)Registrations and welcome coffee
- 10:00 - 10:50 (CEST)Opening statements
- 10:50 - 11:10 (CEST)Setting the scene on the future of rural innovation
- 11:10 - 12:00 (CEST)Panel I: Building the evidence-base and future directions on rural innovation and start-up ecosystems
This panel will present main findings and insights on the innovation gap between rural and urban areas and the specificities of rural innovation.
- 12:00 - 13:30 (CEST)Networking buffet lunch
- 13:30 - 14:30 (CEST)Panel II: Local and regional initiatives to support rural start-ups
This session will explore local and regional innovative initiatives undertaken to address challenges for rural start-ups.
- 14:30 - 15:30 (CEST)Panel III: Creating the conditions for the future of innovation and competitiveness in rural areas
This session will discuss strategies and initiatives undertaken at national, regional and local levels to help innovation eco-systems in rural areas thrive.
- 15:30 - 15:45 (CEST)Coffee break
- 15:45 - 16:30 (CEST)Keynote: Competitiveness, innovation and the Right to Stay for European rural communities
- 16:30 - 16:45 (CEST)Closing remarks: The way forward
- 16:45 - 18:15 (CEST)Networking cocktail reception
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 15 October 2026, 10:00 - 18:15 (CEST)
- Where
- Berlaymont Building, PiazzaRue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium
- Languages
- English
Description
The Startup Village Forum is an initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, supporting the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas and the New European Innovation Agenda.
It brings together European, national, regional and local policymakers, entrepreneurs, and communities to shape actions that support locally driven, innovative entrepreneurship in rural areas.
The work of the Forum is supported by the European Parliament through the Preparatory Action ‘Startup Village Forum and Rural Innovation Valleys’.
Contacts
General contact
Email
- Name
- Email
- JRC-STARTUPVILLAGEFORUM
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu