The Rural Connections magazine is being published at a formative time for Rural Development policy. The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) which has been taking shape over the past months is crystallising – with the European Commission's proposals for the future EU budget published on 2 May, followed shortly afterwards by the legislative proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2020 on 1 June 2018. The latest metamorphosis of the CAP will energise the network over the months ahead. We cover the latest developments in our regular round-up of News and updates (pp. 4-11) which also includes details of a series of ‘smart villages’ initiatives, recent events and other network news. Speaking of change, our Focus on…Generational Renewal (pp. 25-38) examines what is being done to welcome and support a new generation of farmers. As signalled by the European Commission’s Communication on the Future of Food and Farming, generational renewal features prominently in the new CAP. In this edition of Rural Connections, we get the Commission’s view on why it is so important and what the CAP legal proposals say on it, we hear from the CEJA President on how young farmers see their future and we delve into good practices of dealing with the triple challenge of access to land, access to capital and access to knowledge. Rounding off the section, we profile some initiatives that are increasing the attractiveness of rural areas.