The event will take place on 15 October in Brussels. 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.

This edition will 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.

More information here.