📅 21 May 2026
🕘 12:00 – 14:30 
📍 Brussels & ONLINE

Ensuring equitable access to healthcare and digital connectivity is essential for inclusive and sustainable rural development. Yet, significant disparities remain between urban and rural areas, affecting access to essential services, economic opportunities, and quality of life.

This briefing lunch, organised by the Task Force on Access to Services and hosted by Region Värmland, will bring together regional authorities, EU institutions, and policy stakeholders to discuss how these challenges can be addressed through coordinated and place-based approaches.

The discussion will explore how improved digital infrastructure can enable innovative healthcare solutions, including telemedicine and integrated care models, while also supporting access to a wider range of public and private services in rural areas.

Participants will exchange views on how investment, innovation, and stronger multi-level governance can help close the digital divide, improve healthcare accessibility, and enhance territorial cohesion across Europe.

Agenda

12:00 Registration & Lunch
13:00 Welcome & Introduction
13:15 Roundtable Discussion
14:20 Closing Remarks

☕ This breakfast discussion offers a space for informal exchange between regional leaders and EU policymakers on improving access to healthcare and connectivity, and ensuring that rural communities can fully benefit from Europe’s digital and social transitions.