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The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
  • Conferences and summits

European Startup Village Forum 2025

Join the 2025 Startup Village Forum event to explore how Europe's rural areas are becoming vibrant hubs of entrepreneurship, creativity, and opportunity, driven by the power of rural innovation.

The European Startup Village Forum 2025, taking place on 29 October in Brussels, is a high-level event dedicated to exploring the dynamics of innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas. Organised by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Forum brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and rural stakeholders to share insights, experiences, and strategies for building thriving rural innovation ecosystems.

This third edition will feature voices from the Startup Village community, showcasing real-world examples of rural transformation and startup success. Participants will engage in science-for-policy discussions, explore new evidence on rural innovation, and co-develop ideas for strengthening collaboration across Europe. The Forum aims to shape the future of rural innovation policy and support the creation of more connected, resilient, and opportunity-rich rural communities.

  • regional policy | rural development | innovation
  • Wednesday 29 October 2025, 08:30 - 17:30 (CET)
  • Belgium
  • Live streaming available

Programme

  1. 29 Oct 2025, 08:30 - 09:30 (CET)
    Registration and welcome coffee
  2. 09:30 - 10:15 (CET)
    Welcome and opening statements
  3. 10:15 - 11:00 (CET)
    New evidence on rural innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems
  4. 11:00 - 11:30 (CET)
    Coffee break
  5. 11:30 - 12:30 (CET)
    Experiences from territories: Listening to Startup Villages’ voices
  6. 12:30 - 14:00 (CET)
    Networking buffet lunch
  7. 14:00 - 15:00 (CET)
    Harnessing entrepreneurial potential in rural communities
  8. 15:00 - 15:30 (CET)
    Coffee break
  9. 15:30 - 16:30 (CET)
    Policies and tools for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas
  10. 16:30 - 17:15 (CET)
    Securing the right to stay for European rural communities
  11. 17:15 - 17:30 (CET)
    Closing remarks
  13. 17:30 - 19:00 (CET)
    Networking cocktail reception

Practical information

When
Wednesday 29 October 2025, 08:30 - 17:30 (CET)
Where
Berlaymont Piazza, Brussels
Belgium
Livestream
Starts on Wednesday 29 October 2025, 09:30 (CET)
Languages
English

Description

The Startup Village Forum (SVF) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), supporting the Long-Term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas and the New European Innovation Agenda. It provides an inclusive platform for rural stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and co-create solutions that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in rural regions. By promoting a place-based, cross-sectoral approach, the SVF helps bridge the innovation divide and empowers rural areas to become dynamic centres of growth and opportunity.

Contacts

General contact

Email
JRC-STARTUPVILLAGEFORUMatec [dot] europa [dot] eu