From May 12th to May 14th, 2024, the members of the RURENER network gathered in the Figeac area, France for the annual event.
A positive assessment after a year of change, following the 2024 General Assembly meeting that redefined RURENER's governance and economic models.
The municipality of Figeac belongs to the intermunicipal community of Le Grand Figeac, which was created in 2017 and encompasses 92 municipalities with a total population of 43,818 inhabitants (2021). The town has been awarded the ‘Ville d’art et d’histoire’ (Town of art and history) label because of the rich history of its monuments and buildings. Indeed, the town of Figeac has passed through the ages, from a Neolithic village in prehistoric times, to a Gallic village, to the small industrial town we know today. The construction
of an abbey, which prospered rapidly, led to the development of the town. The centuries have passed and the town of Figeac is still going strong. Today, Figeac is exemplary in terms of economic development thanks to the aeronautics industry. The development of industrial expertise in this sector has led to an explosion in employment, from 1,500 to 3,500 jobs (30% of local employment) in 20 years.
There are a number of historic monuments worth visiting, including:
• The Place des Ecritures with the Rosetta Stone (by Champollion)
• The Champollion Museum
• The medieval streets
The French National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) has supported the community’s thinking on the development of territorial cooperation, with the development of unique collaborative economic models that are real drivers for the region.
RURENER’s member, the non-profit organization Mode d’Emplois, offered to host this year’s event in order to share the on-going initiatives developed through the Massif Central in Transitions’ project (led by RURENER). This event was an opportunity to give a European dimension to close the project and to make the achievements visible at a broader scale. The peer-to-peer exchanges were very fruitful, many dates were set for follow-up discussions between the members.
“The field tour was very inspiring, especially the work they have been implementing with the foward-thinking working group and how it led the way for the territorial development. The example of the Cooperative Fermes de Figeac is very impressive, and how a private actor became a pillar of local development alongside the public authorities.” – Péter GORNYITZKI, Municipality of Streda Nad Bodrogom, SLOVAKIA.
You can check out the Rural Resilience Roadmap in the Publications section of the website.
Three of the four new RURENER members took part in the event and signed the Charter with the RURENER President, Vincent TURPINAT, Mayor of Jarnages (France):
– The municipality of Streda Nad Bodrogom, Slovakia, became a member during the summer 2024
– The intermunicipality Bocage Bourbonnais, France, became a member in January 2025
– The intermunicipality Causses Aigoual Cévennes, France, became a member in January 2025
The Regional Natural Park of Périgord-Limousin, France, became a member in December 2024 but could not join this year’s event.
