Since 2019, Danish municipalities have been required to carry out strategic planning for villages. However, the strategic approach to planning has traditionally been applied to the urban context, and therefore it is necessary to explore how strategic planning can be conceptualised and adopted to rural district planning practice. This is the objective of this thesis. By means of a qualitative research approach, the study bridges theory on strategic planning and rural districts in order to conceptualise what a strategic approach to planning can be like in the context of rural districts. An empirical case-study of rural district planning practice in Skive Municipality in the years 2009-2020 clarifies the theoretical findings. By combining theory and practice, the research suggests how current planning practice can adopt the new requirements as an attempt to enhance viability of villages.