Interactive toolkit provides easier access to EU funding for rural areas

A new Rural toolkit developed by the European Commission offers a comprehensive guide to EU funding and support opportunities for rural areas in the European Union.

The interactive toolkit aims to help rural entrepreneurs, local authorities, institutions and stakeholders, businesses and individuals find the best EU funding options available to help them develop their project and address local needs.

An interactive funding finder allows users to filter existing schemes based on several criteria including their role/organisation, the activity they want to implement (for example, improving infrastructure, strengthening the local economy, enhancing climate resilience and sustainability) and the type of support they’re looking for (grants, technical assistance, loans).

After narrowing the choice to the most relevant options, key information about current programmes and initiatives is readily available in printable factsheets. These explain how each option is relevant for rural areas, and include practical details, links to calls and relevant contact points.

The Rural toolkit also provides extensive guidance on how to make the most out of available opportunities. Users can get inspired and explore a wide range of examples and case studies, discovering how EU funds and support mechanisms have already been implemented successfully in rural areas across the EU.

For more information, visit the Rural toolkit webpage.