News

• The fourth edition of the “Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards” (ARIA) 2026 focuses this year on gender equality
• The awards consist of 4 categories and 2 special awards
• The aim of the awards is to highlight good practices developed within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
• The PAC Network is organizing an information day on May 13th to provide advice on submitting entries to the competition.

In an effort to recognize exemplary initiatives in the agricultural and rural sector, the European CAP Network (EU CAP Network) has launched the fourth edition of the “Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards” (ARIA) 2026. This year’s theme is “When equality drives the next generation,” a message that focuses on female leadership and seeks projects that promote gender equality in agriculture and rural areas.

Once again, the awards will recognize projects funded by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) . Candidate initiatives must contribute to strengthening food security, environmental resilience, and the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.

Categories and awards

The submitted works must fall into one of the four main categories:

1. Competitive and smart agriculture : for projects that are committed to an innovative, resilient agricultural sector prepared to guarantee long-term food security.

2. Environmental protection : aimed at proposals that promote sustainability, biodiversity or action against climate change.

3. Socioeconomic fabric of rural areas : for initiatives that promote the social and economic development of rural territories, whether through innovation, entrepreneurship or digitalization.

4. Gender equality : the jury will value initiatives that contribute to reducing inequalities between women and men in the rural and agricultural sector.

In addition to the category awards, two additional prizes will be awarded, which are considered "Special Prizes" :

1. People's Choice Award: The public will select one of the 24 finalists through online voting.

2. Generational renewal award: the jury will assess, from among the 24 initiatives presented, those that contribute to the incorporation of new generations of young people into the countryside, thus ensuring the future of the rural environment.

Submission of nominations

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the PAC Network   Spanish applications can be submitted either by email to redpac@mapa.es or to the corresponding territorial office in each autonomous community. Applications sent directly to the European CAP Network will not be accepted.

To participate, interested parties must complete an application form in Word format, available in both English and Spanish. This form includes an explanatory guide and a document with frequently asked questions to facilitate its submission. Applications may be submitted in either language.

All the documentation is available on the PAC Network website , where you can also consult the brochure with the finalist projects from the previous edition, ARIA 2025 , as a reference and inspiration.

The deadline for submitting applications is June 21st at 23:59 hours.

Information session

The PAC Network is organizing a presentation and promotion session for the 2026 ARIA Awards on Wednesday, May 13th. The session will be held online from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and will explain how the call for proposals works, provide guidance on the application process, and encourage the participation of Spanish projects. Participation is free, but prior registration is required via the following link before 11:00 AM on May 12th .

Spain at the ARIA Awards 2025

In last year 's edition , the CAP Network received 34 projects, of which 8 were selected to go to Brussels. Of these, three were chosen as European finalists by the European CAP Network, after evaluating more than 120 applications and selecting 24 projects at the European level.

Finally, the European CAP Network selected 3 projects, of which the “Mutur Beltz” and “Poultree” awards were won in their respective categories: “Poultree” – Extremadura, in the “environmental protection” category and “Mutur Beltz” – Basque Country, in the “rural socio-economic fabric” category.