About the ERP

The European Rural Parliament

Expressing the voices of rural people in Europe; promoting self-help and action by rural people, in partnership with civil society and governments.

What is the ERP?

The European Rural Parliament (ERP) is a process which aims to raise the voice of rural areas nationally and internationally.

A Gathering is held every two years, bringing together rural players – local, national and European – to exchange experiences and agree the rural policy agenda with which to advocate to policy makers at national and EU levels. Each Gathering attracts between 350-400 participants from around 40 countries. In each alternate year a Mid-Term Event is held to review progress and raise new agendas.

The ERP is managed by a coalition of three pan-European organisations: ERCA, PREPARE and ELARD. It has 70 national and regional Partner organisations in 40 European countries (Council of Europe Area) and 7 pan-European networks, all civil society organisations working for the wider benefit of rural communities.

Find out about what’s in store for 2025, as Scotland, for the first time, prepares to host the 6th ERP!

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History of the ERP

The European Rural Parliament was initiated in 2013 by ERCA, working with its Swedish member Hela Sverige ska leva (Rural Sweden) who led and funded the first event in Brussels in 2013, based on the original model of the Swedish Rural Parliament.

Following the 1st ERP, a partnership of 3 pan-European networks was established to manage the ERP process and gatherings: European Rural Community Alliance (ERCA), Partnerships for Rural Europe (PREPARE), European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD).

Five ERPs have been held in Brussels (2013), Austria (2015), Netherlands (2017), Spain (2019) and Poland (2022) – delayed due to Covid.